Storyboards of a Lost Scene from The Dark Knight Rises
Yeah, how about that for an incredibly tall image?
In any case, this is a fan made deleted scene from The Dark Knight Rises which imagines what it might have looked like if Ledger’s Joker had in fact made a cameo. It’s a joke more than anything else, but does bring up an interesting point.
Should they have at least made a reference to the Joker in the film?
I know Nolan avoided it out of “respect” to Ledger, but to avoid even mentioning the character at all seemed odd, particularly as he was the most memorable individual in the entire series. I’ve read an alternative to the above scene could just have been them showing a locked cell at Blackgate (yes, yes, he would have probably been in Arkham), and Bane asking “Who’s in there?”
“The clown.”
“Leave him.”
The Joker’s such a badass, he’s even too crazy for Bane. That would have been more respectful to me, but hey, complete omission works too I guess.
The perfect version of a Joker cameo would have been to have him as the ‘judge’. But obviously you don’t recast for such a small part.
In the novelization of the film, the Joker is mentioned briefly: “Now that the Dent Act had made it all but impossible for the city’s criminals to cop an insanity plea, had replaced Arkham Asylum as a preferred location for imprisoning both convicted and suspected felons. The worst of the worst were sent here, except for the Joker, who, rumor had it, was locked away as Arkham’s sole remaining inmate. Or perhaps he had escaped. Nobody was really sure.”
Bane broke everyone out of Blackgate. Joker was in Arkham. That pretty much solves that problem.
I like the suggestion of having the one line reference in there. Bane’s “freed” Gotham feels very much like a fulfillment of Joker’s vision. There being absolutely zero reference to the Joker (about how he corrupted Dent or anything) was the one knock I have against the movie.
I agree, recasting the actor would have been wrong and I doubt any actor would be welcomed into the role, but just a line or reference would have been nice. I think it wouldn’t have bothered me as much if it wasn’t for the fact they bought Scarecrow back again. You can’t acknowledge other previous locked away enemies but ignore another
or perhaps a line of dialogue heard through the door:
Random prisoner: “We’re free to leave!”
Door-voice: “Is the Batman there?”
Random prisoner: “Hell no!”
Door-voice: “That’s no fun at all.”
Random prisoner: “…you’re not leaving this shithole?”
Door-voice: “I’ll come out when the Bat comes out to play.”
I think it would have been pretty badass if one of the henchmen were pushing buttons to open doors in the prison, but he comes to one and Bane stops him and says something along the lines of “No. Not that one.”
Leave the audience to infer what they will.
I understand that Nolan did not mention the Joker out of respect towards Heath but like most fans I am sure we all wanted a moment of acknowledgement towards the Joker in some way.
However I think had Heath still be alive and had decided to reprise the role of the Joker it just wouldn’t have worked in this movie simply because Bane and The Joker would clash. The Joker just “wants to watch the world burn” and cause chaos while Bane was following a strict plan.
The idea that Bane chose to leave The Joker locked up in Arkham/Blackgate because he is just so crazy and would probably try to interfere with Bane’s plan. Seems like the most respectful towards Heath and doesn’t leave the fans asking where the Joker was.
I personally like the idea of having Harley Quinn make a cameo, during the eight years between DK and DKR would be when she went from Psychiatrist to villainess
I understand that Nolan did not mention the Joker out of respect towards Heath but like most fans I am sure we all wanted a moment of acknowledgement towards the Joker in some way.
However I think had Heath still be alive and had decided to reprise the role of the Joker it just wouldn’t have worked in this movie simply because Bane and The Joker would clash. The Joker just “wants to watch the world burn” and cause chaos while Bane was following a strict plan.
The idea that Bane chose to leave The Joker locked up in Arkham/Blackgate because he is just so crazy and would probably try to interfere with Bane’s plan. Seems like the most respectful towards Heath and doesn’t leave the fans asking where the Joker was.
I personally liked the idea of having Harley Quinn make a cameo, during the eight years between DK and DKR would be when she went from Psychiatrist to villain and busting out an unseen Mister J from wherever he’s held captive.