"Since taking on the mantle of Bruce Wayne and Batman for the 2005 summer blockbuster Batman Begins, Christian Bale has become one of the more respected actors to take on the role, but before starting work on its sequel, The Dark Knight, Bale went to work with German filmmaker Werner Herzog on his latest dramatic film Rescue Dawn. Bale took a break from shooting The Dark Knight to talk to press about the Herzog film, but he took some time to answer a few questions from ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! about the sequel-in-progress.
Superhero Hype!: You seem like an actor who is always looking to do something new, so how hard is it for you to go back and play Batman, a character you've already done? Is there something new you feel you can bring to him? Christian Bale: You got to see with the other versions, it didn't really keep it going, but Chris Nolan who I'm working with for the third time now, he ain't going to be making a movie if he's not going to be doin' something very different with it which he's achieved in spades. I'm actually liking very much the idea, because I haven't reprised a role before, so I know it already and obviously there'll be progress. We've got a great cast as well. Chris and me work very well together, so I know we'll be fighting an awful lot to add to it. The last thing it is is treading water. Now the people support us completely too so we have all that extra support behind us, to just kind of let rip.SHH!: As an actor, how important is it to have a franchise character that you can go back to which allows you to do things like this movie? Bale: Well, I've been doing things like this movie anyway. It's not like if I didn't have the franchise, I'd say, "No I can't make 'Rescue Dawn.'" What it does allow though is that something like "Rescue Dawn" you know Werner and me have been talking about making it for two and a half years, but I doubt it's a huge coincidence that we got the finance pretty quick after I'd been in Batman. So it does mean that I can do these things in a much easier fashion verses a number of years back where like "American Psycho 2," it took two years, just because they didn't want me. Certainly it helps with that, but in and of itself, I really like what Chris has done and working with him on Batman. I tell you, it's the only time in my life that I've been actually planning the future, because usually you know what you're doing for the next two months if you're lucky. After that, you have no idea. I've gone times when I've really needed to work, and there was no work coming in for me. I didn't work for a year and a half or something. I guess having a franchise is the only time you can actually kind of sit back and go, "It's alright. It's going to be okay." Even if nothing else happens, I know that that's going to come along at some point. You don't even know that actually because they could dump me in a second. But, it's a good bit.SHH!: How about working with Heath as The Joker? Bale: Absolutely. He's a great choice for it. I like him personally, but he's got a real craving for playing that role. I think he's going to do something really very different. We worked together briefly in the Todd Haynes movie. Source: www.superherohype.com "The moral dilemma of how far do you push the line when dealing with crime and corruption figures heavily in The Dark Knight story. "It's the circumstances," offered Bale on Batman's thought process. "As we see in The Dark Knight, if there's the possibility of having the system work and of having somebody like Harvey Dent be an elected official who can actually solve the problems that Batman's trying to do himself, then obviously Batman is obsolete at that point. So he believes in the system. It's just that the system in Gotham is broken."
Does Bale live within the system? "Everyone would want to live in a system that works but when it doesn't, I think everyone would like to think that they were able to affect some kind of a change themselves, and answer problems for themselves instead of being completely useless," answered Bale. "Whether that's the correct thing to do in the long term or not, I'm not sure. But certainly when it comes to protecting things that you love, then it's black and white. You don't really care too much about the long term consequences. You're going to do what is right for the people around you in that instant which is, of course, always the conflict between what is right for the individual and is that right for society in general. It's what's so great about being human. We're not ants. We do have individual streaks and we will do what is right for ourselves and not just toe the line." Source: movies.about.com Christian Bale and his daughter Emmeline.Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and their daughter Ramona.
"Ledger was on everyone's mind. His death came just a short time after shooting on the movie wrapped. On Monday night there was no denying his performance was one for the ages and could very well earn him a posthumous Academy Award. His co-stars say Ledger morphed into the bizarre character. "He's created an iconic villain, unlike any I've seen before," Bale said.
Added Gary Oldman, who portrays "Commissioner Gordon" in the movie: "It's miraculous. I think it's just an incredible performance."
Ledger completed his role shortly before dying in January of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was found on the floor of his fourth story loft in SoHo. "I didn't think of it that way," Gyllenhaal said. "I just thought of it as part one. For me, I just thought of it as walking into any other movie." Source: wcbstv.com "There have only been in history 10 films that have opened with $100 million, and 'The Dark Knight' is poised to be one," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.
The numbers tell the story.
"The Dark Knight" will be showing in 4,366 theaters in North America, on more screens than any movie ever.
More than 1,600 showtimes in 400 cities are sold out already.
And Fandango, one of the largest online ticket-sellers says "The Dark Knight accounted for 94 percent of all tickets sold this week.
"And some theaters are going to show this movie round-the-clock opening day. That's how much demand there is for this movie," Dergarabedian said.
Continuing the story set in motion with "Batman Begins" in 2005, this grimmer, darker sequel has Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne, fighting his internal demons - and one in flesh and blood: The Joker. "It's simple," the Joker says. "Kill the Batman."
"He's uncompromising as Batman is," said Christian Bale, who returns as Batman in this sequel. "But the problem is, Batman has rules and the Joker doesn't." Heath Ledger plays the menacing, maniacal Joker, who says, "This town needs a better class of criminal, and I'm going to give it to them."
Ledger's last big Hollywood role before his death from an accidental overdose in January already is generating Oscar buzz and has fans buzzing with anticipation. Christopher Nolan directed "The Dark Knight."
"With Heath's portrayal of the Joker, though, it was apparent to everybody on the set that there was something very special going on with that performance," Nolan said. source: wcbstv.com
Ellen Page in "Hard Candy" (2005). Kristen Bell and Russell Brand in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008).Kristen Bell.Scarlett Johansson and Woody Allen.Katherine Heigl at the Beverly Regent Wilshire.Aviva as Heather in "Spring Break '83" (2008).Emmy Rossum and her ice-cream.Maggie Gyllenhaal and her "Ben & Jerry’s" Ice-CreamKirsten Dunst.Christina Ricci.Maggie with phone and drink.Lindsay Lohan.Reese Witherspoon.
"Heath Ledger. What can be said about his performance? It’s absolutely magnetic. You can not take your eyes off of him in this movie. He is the definitive Joker now. His theatricality, insanity barely in check, his brains, the mystery of the character. He’s written to perfection and Ledger takes it a step beyond with his unhinged and frightening performance. The Joker embodies anarchy and he never once contradicts himself.
I guarantee you this right now. You will never forget his magic trick.
Bale is once again great as Bruce Wayne, but like I said the movie isn’t really Bruce/Bats centric. He’s all over the movie and a driving force, no doubt, but the overall story really does belong to Harvey Dent.
Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are great, as usual. As is Michael Caine, who gets some really great stuff in this flick. I loved hearing a little bit about Alfred’s past, which… let’s just say it’s not a typical butler’s past. NEW YORK - JULY 14: Actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrive at the world premiere of 'The Dark Knight' at AMC Loews Lincoln Square - IMAX on July 14, 2008 in New York City.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is Rachel Dawes. There was never a moment where I lamented the break in continuity from the first movie. And this is coming from someone who liked Katie Holmes in BEGINS.
I will say that the writing in this is as good as anything the Nolans have written. Seriously. The subtlety in how they handle The Joker’s origins (“Wanna know how I got these scars?”) gives us a deep insight into the diseased brain while at the same time not betraying the mystery. You’ll see how they do it when you see the flick... but it's fantastic, completely true to who the Joker is.
Mark my words: Ledger will be nominated, Wally Pfister will be nominated, Chris Nolan will be nominated for direction, Jonathan and Chris Nolan for script and if the movie Gods are feeling kind early next year we might even see a Best Picture nom".
"Ledger's family - his father Kim, sister Kate and mother Sally Bell - reportedly attended, alongside the stars of the latest Batman movie.
Ledger's former girlfriend, Naomi Watts, and her partner Liev Schreiber also reportedly attended.
Ledger's co-stars heaped praise on his portrayal of the psychopathic villain, The Joker.
British actor Michael Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred, repeated his belief that at the very least Ledger should receive a best supporting actor nomination.
"My favourite part of the film is the opening monologue of Heath Ledger as The Joker, it's one of the best close-ups I've ever seen in my life,'' Caine said on the red carpet.
"He was a young actor and this is his moment. I mean, he did Brokeback Mountain which was fine and he never got the Oscar.
"He's going to get the Oscar for this.'' Another co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal praised his performance.
"He's so good in the movie. I mean really remarkable,'' she said.
"But even before this movie he really had an effect on people.''
Co-star Aaron Eckhart said: "I'm especially happy for Heath, and sad he's not with us tonight. But we're going to honour him in this movie. He's huge.''
"I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker,'' wrote Rolling Stone's film critic Pete Travers.
"If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up,'' Travers added.
Sam Rubin, a respected entertainment correspondent for Los Angeles KTLA network, said Ledger would "absolutely be nominated for an Oscar, and at this point in the year is a hands-down favourite to win it posthumously''.
"Ledger offers perfect pitch, perfect tone, his Joker hits all the right notes,'' Rubin added.
The 81st Academy Awards will be held in Hollywood on February 22".
Source: www.news.com.au "Working with Heath was fantastic," said Christian Bale, 34, who reprises his role as the Caped Crusader. "He steals the movie and I'm quite happy to say that. He's a hell of a talent and created a joker that's very iconic and one that will become a classic portrayal of the ages."
Michael Caine, 75, who plays butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film, which opens July 18, noted the "intensity and ferocity of the performance."
"But when we were sitting down between takes, he was completely ordinary," Caine added. "He wasn't preparing himself or saying 'Please leave me alone, I've gotta do this.' Instead he was talking to me.
"We would sit and chat and have a cup of coffee, then suddenly they'd say, 'We're ready, Heath,' and he'd go straight into The Joker," Caine continued. "His energy was astonishing, especially when it came from this kind of calm. He's certainly the best villain I've ever seen." Source: www.people.com
"Per Seth Rogen, Jews got laid because of Eric Bana in Munich. If that is the case, then Jews are going to be having 70’s era Hugh Hefner style orgies because of the eight badasses of Tarantino’s INGLORIOUS BASTERDS! Coming Soon.net is reporting that Showtime Networks and The Weinstein Company have just announced that they have signed a seven-year deal for up to 95 films including Quentin Tarantino's latest Inglorious Bastards, Alex Aja's Piranha 3D and curiously enough... Scream 4. No word on any Wes Craven involvement at this point.
[...] Killer dialogue, excellent execution, and master craftsmanship by Tarantino. The script is supposed to go into production this October to premiere in Cannes next May and I am eager as hell to see the finished product". Source: latinoreview.com
"In a move that enhances its slate of theatrical motion pictures, Showtime Networks Inc. has entered into an exclusive seven-year film distribution arrangement with The Weinstein Company (Twc)." (In other words, Showtime will get first dibs on premiering all of The Weinstein's upcoming theatrical releases when they hit cable.)
The press release continues, "The output deal also includes releases from Dimension Films such as "Youth In Revolt," based on C.D. Payne's bestselling book and starring Michael Cera, "6 Billion Dollar Man," the remake of David Cronenberg's "Scanners," re-starting the "Scream" franchise with "Scream 4," and "Piranha 3D". Source: iconsoffright.com
"Since taking on the mantle of Bruce Wayne and Batman for the 2005 summer blockbuster Batman Begins, Christian Bale has become one of the more respected actors to take on the role, but before starting work on its sequel, The Dark Knight, Bale went to work with German filmmaker Werner Herzog on his latest dramatic film Rescue Dawn. Bale took a break from shooting The Dark Knight to talk to press about the Herzog film, but he took some time to answer a few questions from ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! about the sequel-in-progress.
SHH!: As an actor, how important is it to have a franchise character that you can go back to which allows you to do things like this movie?
Even if nothing else happens, I know that that's going to come along at some point. You don't even know that actually because they could dump me in a second. But, it's a good bit.
SHH!: How about working with Heath as The Joker?.jpg)
"The moral dilemma of how far do you push the line when dealing with crime and corruption figures heavily in The Dark Knight story. "It's the circumstances," offered Bale on Batman's thought process. "As we see in The Dark Knight, if there's the possibility of having the system work and of having somebody like Harvey Dent be an elected official who can actually solve the problems that Batman's trying to do himself, then obviously Batman is obsolete at that point. So he believes in the system. It's just that the system in Gotham is broken."
Christian Bale and his daughter Emmeline.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and their daughter Ramona.
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