Summary
Heath Ledger’s Joker is imagined as a very different Batman through newThe Dark Knightmerchandise for the iconicDCmovie. While Hollywood has seen superhero franchises likethe DCEU movie timelineand the Marvel Cinematic Universe come to life, Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogybecame a defining series of films that helped the comic book movie genre get pushed forward. Even though Christian Bale’s Batman never took part in a shared universe,The Dark Knightmovies were crucial for the DC icon, becoming some of the most financially successful superhero films of all time.
One of the biggest players inThe Dark Knightwho defined Nolan’s trilogy, which still holds up to this day, is the performance by the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, with many calling his iteration the definitive cinematic portrayal of the DC villain. More than a decade after his passing,Hot Toysis coming out with a new collectible featuring Ledger’s Joker with a very different look.
The figurine pitches the idea of Ledger’slive-action version of Jokergetting his own Bat costume, which is visually differently designed from Bale’s suit inThe Dark Knight. Hot Toys states that this exclusive is of a"limited quantity of 3,000 units available only in selected markets."
Dark Knight Rises Sequel: Why Nolan Never Made A 4th Batman Movie
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is among the best trilogies and superhero movies ever, but why didn’t he make a fourth Batman movie?
Why Giving Heath Ledger’s Joker A Batman Costume Could Have Been Perfect
WhileThe Dark Knighthas one of the strongest comic book movie stories without needing any new adjustments or tweaks, the idea of having Ledger’s Clown Prince of Crime donning a Batman costume would have made perfect sense for the plot. Leading up toThe Dark Knightmovie ending, the storyline saw the Joker with various disguises as he went about conducting his criminal plans. There was even a point where the Joker dressed up as a policeman, and the audience subsequently got to see the iconic villain without the make-up for one scene inThe Dark Knight.
But having Joker put on a Batman suit would have been a pinnacle point, especially as this would have likely led to Bruce having a strong reaction to seeing someone like him using his symbol. A major theme inThe Dark Knightis the idea of Joker trying to make Batman believe that they are two sides of the same coin. As such, the concept of seeing Joker in a Batsuit would have also added another layer tothe idea of the villain being a dark mirror of the DC hero, making this concept an even more poignant part of the movie.
As cool as it would have been to see the Joker with a Batman costume, the fact it isn’t part of the actual film doesn’t stopThe Dark Knightfrom being one of the best superhero movies of all time. It will definitely be interesting to see how new franchises likeJames Gunn’s DC Universeexplore the Batman and Joker dynamic in that continuity, and to what degree they draw from this popular corner of on-screen history. But until that happens, the DC audience can relieve the entireThe Dark Knighttrilogy through Blu-Ray/DVD and through streaming.
The Dark Knight
Cast
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
