So why didn't people complain about Nolan's Joker?

[Sephiroth]

As we all await the next Batman film, I find myself amused and annoyed by all the complaints about Nolan's versions of Bane and Catwoman. Everything from Hardy being too small, Hathaway not being "edgy" enough, and the costumes not looking right, etc. and I find myself wondering, why didn't we hear such complaints about Nolan's version of The Joker? Because in point of fact, Nolan's version of the character was considerably different than how he is usually portrayed in the comics. For that matter, so where his version's of Two Face, Scarecrow, and Ras Al Gul. Am I alone in noticing this?

[Cela]

They did, but it fit the overall tone of the character and seemed to work. Plus people were blown away by the trailer.

[Deleted]

I'm reasonably certain that when Ledger was announced as the actor portraying the Joker, it was crapped on a fair bit. After seeing how good it was though, why complain?

[Deleted]

People did when details were first coming out about it.

Really, I don't follow news on these things much - I'd prefer to just wait and see the thing in theaters, though I am damn hyped for it - so what little I have seen of Bane I'm personally okay with.

[Paco]

What? I remember when Ledger was announced as The Joker. People were like "Really? That guy?!?!"
Until we got that first look, it was pure trepidation.

[Yami Daimao]

They did when Ledger was announced as The Joker. Then when the first face shot of Ledger in Joker make-up, and the trailer came out, skepticism was lowered. Finally once the movie came out, most people went "Well shit, was I wrong or what?".

The same will essentially happen with Bane and, to a certain extent, Catwoman.

[Deleted]

I just hope the movie doesn't poison Bane and Catwoman like it did Joker. Love the movie and all, but the fact that everyone pretty much exclusively brings up that character who isn't very Joker-like at all is annoying as hell. Also believe that Oscar was unwarranted.

[eJm]

Oh, they did. A Lot.

I should know, I was one of them. Well, not a complainer, more like a '...Huh?!' guy on the subject.

Proved me wrong rapidly.

[Glitch]

I'm sure plenty of people said "that guy from Brokeback Mountain?".
It' also important to note that there's probably way more hype and expectation on this film then there was on The Dark Knight's debut.

[Hit Girl]

I've complained, mostly based on comparing Ledger's version to Nicholson's. The latter I consider superior.

[Koda, Master Crunchyroller]

The f*** you talking about?

People were bitching for MONTHS about Nolan's Joker leading up to the release of the film. Hell the bitching pretty much continued until the f***ing midnight release of the film, where all the people who bitched and moaned about his Joker were all quieted at the same time.

[AFN: Judge Shred]

I feel he was more a plot device than a character. But it was ok for what it was.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

He got complaints before AND after the film's release. I personally thought Ledger's version was brilliant, but I can also see why some comic fans would be bothered by Nolan trading in his "clown themed" tactics like death buzzers and laughing gas for shotguns and explosives.

[mizerable]

Dec 31, 2011 17:42:19 GMT -5 Yami Daimao said:

The same will essentially happen with Bane and, to a certain extent, Catwoman.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say that. Granted, as soon as Ledger was announced, people crapped on it, but as soon as we started seeing things leak, people started getting excited. With the new movie, it was completely different. When Hardy was announced as Bane, a lot of people said they "didn't see it", but they were wrong about Ledger, so they gave Nolan the benefit of the doubt. But as soon as pictures were leaked, it's pretty clear that it's a completely different vision that a lot of people aren't into, including myself. You can say it's a way to make Bane "emote", but honestly I don't want to see the guy emote, I want a guy who is every bit the equal of Batman, but without the means to feel sympathy or emotion, so "lucha" mask works.

Also, I never liked Catwoman. As a bad guy...or girl, she was nothing more than a glorified jewel thief. As Batman's love interest/partner, she was annoying. The closest I ever came to liking her character was in Batman Returns, where she had a psychotic twist to her, and I doubt we'll see that here. Story-wise, I wish they would've just used Talia instead.

[Free Hat]

Yes, people complained. Hell, even I did a little bit. When that first face shot was released I was disappointed. I still think his overall look kinda sucked. Sloppy facepaint and self inflicted scars don't really fit a character as vain as the Joker.

That said, to say that Nolan's Joker was nothing like his comic book counterpart only demonstrates ignorance of the character's history. Nearly every aspect of his personality is drawn from some prior interpretation of the character, whether it be his general flamboyance, his penchant for announcing his crimes before he commits them, his multiple origin stories, etc.

[Deleted]

Dec 31, 2011 18:38:39 GMT -5 Free Hat said:

Yes, people complained. Hell, even I did a little bit. When that first face shot was released I was disappointed. I still think his overall look kinda sucked. Sloppy facepaint and self inflicted scars don't really fit a character as vain as the Joker.

That said, to say that Nolan's Joker was nothing like his comic book counterpart only demonstrates ignorance of the character's history. Nearly every aspect of his personality is drawn from some prior interpretation of the character, whether it be his general flamboyance, his penchant for announcing his crimes before he commits them, his multiple origin stories, etc.

I think he draws from it just fine, I just hate how a lot of people see that as the only worthy Joker these days.

[The Ichi]

The complaining continued even after the screening. Because then it turned into "you only liked him as Joker because he died herp derp".

[Michael Coello]

Yeah, I mean, come on. It was Health Ledger. From a Knights Tale, Brothers Grimm, and that period romance movie. He didn't seem the type (never saw Brokeback Mountain, BTW)

Then again, seems like every major role of the Joker was played by some kind of pretty boy/heart throb (Latin Lover Cesar Romero, Playboy Jack Nicholson, Star Wars pretty boy Mark Hamill. )

[Renslayer]

I wasn't following the online reactions at the time, but how did people feel about how Nolan used Two-Face in the film?

[Michael Coello]

Dec 31, 2011 19:07:57 GMT -5 Renslayer said:

I wasn't following the online reactions at the time, but how did people feel about how Nolan used Two-Face in the film?

The general consensus seemed to be that Eckhart deserved a supporting actor nod along with Ledger.

I though his performance was a bit too over the top, honestly.