Christian Bale calls Heath Ledger 'incredibly intense' in 'The Dark Knight' — Hmmm, but what will Oscar voters say?
Heath Ledger died in January several months after completing his role as the Joker in the "The Dark Knight" opposite Christian Bale. In anticipation of the July 18 opening of this second installment in the renewed Batman franchise, Bale talked to Details about the film and acting opposite Ledger, who could score a rare, belated Oscar nomination.
"He was incredibly intense in his performance," said Bale, "but incredibly mellow and laid-back." For Bale, Ledger's commitment to the part was commendable. "Certainly there was this great anarchistic streak to it, just getting dirtier than anybody's envisioned the Joker before."
Back in March, director Christopher Nolan told the New York Times that Ledger's performance as the Joker is "stunning" and "iconic" and that "it's going to just blow people away."
If he turns out to be that good, Ledger might well earn an Academy Award nomination. When Jack Nicholson played the role in director Tim Burton's "Batman" in 1989, he didn't get an Oscar nod, but he was nominated in the supporting race at BAFTA and in the lead comedy/musical category at the Golden Globes.
Ledger was nominated for the lead-actor Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005 but lost to Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote"). However, he was a winner with one top kudofest that year: the New York Film Critics Circle, where he beat Hoffman by a score of 35 to 33 in the best-actor race.
Heath Ledger might be considered a sentimental favorite if he's nominated in either lead or supporting for "The Dark Knight," but Hollywooders are notoriously hard-hearted. Only one acting Oscar has ever been bestowed posthumously: Peter Finch ("Network") in 1976.
The parallel for Ledger may be with another young heartthrob star who died tragically after demonstrating impressive early promise. James Dean was nominated twice posthumously — for "East of Eden" (1955) and "Giant" (1956) — and lost both bids.
To read the full interview with Christian Bale - CLICK HERE
I think Heath Ledger really deserves an Oscar
perhaps more than any other male actor of my generation. We have all admired him in recent years...for his bold selection of roles and his tedious performances. I am straight and I felt his performance in Brokeback Mountain was just haunting. So much so that watching it after his death would be too emotional. Only an Academy Award caliber actor can do that. Every portrayel of his was believable And sadly that is all there is.. Lets give him his due....
Posted by: jon strad | May 29, 2008 at 05:02 PM
I was Ledger's fan since his previous aussie films, he was a great and I think a poshtumous nomination is just. Since I saw the trailer he was outstanding. With Finch and Dean we have another actor: Massimo Troisi who died in 1994 and two years later he received an Oscar Nomination for his role in "The Postman"... The AMPAS need to see the film and with help with acting comunity and intelligent campaing he'll get that nomination
But I think he received the nomination in supporting category
Posted by: Xavi Rodriguez | May 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM
If Ledger's performance of the Joker is so compelling that it is so poignant that it lingers with the audience then the Academy will hopefully vote Ledger in the Best Actor category posthumously. And that's a big "If". I and the rest of the world and the Academy still have to watch The Dark Knight to give our collective verdict on Ledger's performance as this highly anticipated Joker. Admittedly, I haven't always supported Ledger's work. In the beginning of his career with 10 Things I Hate about You, I thought that he would become another American Pie actors whose careers wouldn't amount to much, but after watching Brokeback Mountain, I became a fan of his.
Hopefully, the Academy can judge his performance rightfully this time.
Posted by: caresa | May 27, 2008 at 08:07 PM