Zed’s Dead

Buzz from the first Dark Knight trailer has been all about Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker, quite possibly the greatest arch-villain in comic history. For years, many have hailed Jack Nicholson’s performance in the 1989 Tim Burton film as the defining realization of The Joker, but now that school of thought is rapidly changing. Guillermo Del Toro, director of Cronos and Pan’s Labryinth, said:

“I love it”…”Every time I see more of Heath Ledger’s Joker, I like it more. That’s a good sign because if something is going the wrong way, the more you see about it, the less you ingratiate yourself with it.”

Paul Dini, the writer/producer of the Emmy award winning Batman: The Animated Series, agrees:

“Heath Ledger’s Joker seems perfectly suited to the dark Gotham City created by Christopher Nolan,” Dini asserted. “He seems more street than any other version of the Joker, with his clownish visage recalling hastily applied graffiti paint rather than chemically dyed skin.” “His attitude is mordant and sardonic as opposed to manic,” Dini reflected. “No goofy gags or puns for him. This Joker doesn’t split sides … he splits skulls.”

Although he kinda sounds like Snarf, Heath Ledger has already turned in an iconic performance in the trailer. I just didn’t get Jack Nicholson, sorry. He’s a great actor and all, but if I’m supposed to be scared, you’re gonna have to do a lot better than a old fat guy in a scarf.