J.B.’s Heath Ledger Oscar Nod Blog

According to Batman On Film, the third Christopher Nolan Batman installment is supposedly in the works.  For months, many of Hollywood’s top names have been thrown into converstation as to who will be taking part in the next movie.  Concern has especially been expressed as ato who will be the next villain…. or villains.  Michael Caine, while taking part in the Canadian Movie Festival, has already been quoted as saying that Johnny Depp will be playing the part of “The Riddler”, a homicidal maniac who lures in his pray through a series of riddles, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman will be playing “The Penguin”, a criminal mastermind who was left with deformities that made him look like a penguin.

IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE DARK KNIGHT, THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS

Here is my concern.  These two characters are obviously cemented in the history of Batman.  However, The Joker did not die in The Dark Knight.  The Joker is Batman arch-nemisis.  He’s a character that, if alive, that needs to be at least mentioned in the storyline.  Also, the detrimental effect he had on Gotham City has yet to be resolved.  He was responsible for the killing of cops, public officials, and Harvey Dent (who became Two-Face), Gotham’s District Attorney, or as Bruce Wayne called him “The White Knight.”

Here’s my opinion on the matter.  There are going to be other Batman movies after the third.  Some of these may even involve The Joker.  However, I believe that he won’t be involved in the third installment due to Heath Ledger’s performance.  Not only are all that took part in the filming of The Dark Knight still reeling from Ledger’s death, but Ledger has done such a brilliant job with the part that it may be hard for anyone to duplicate.  Fans and critics alike are going to be looking back on his portrayal of the Joker and realize that he just may be the greatest movie villian we have ever seen.  The process of bringing that character back into the mix is going to have to be handled gingerly.  Not just anyone can fill those shoes again.