In 2005, writer-director Christopher Nolan wrapped up Batman Begins without any intentions of crafting a sequel, let alone an entire trilogy. However, seven years later, with the release of The Dark Knight Rises, he not only concluded a series of films that progressively escalated in scale and grandeur but also revolutionized the very essence of superhero cinema. These movies demonstrated their monumental appeal by amassing a staggering global box office of nearly $2.5 billion.
Films that surpass the $1 billion mark at the box office, such as 2008’s The Dark Knight and its subsequent installment this year, seldom possess a deeply personal touch. They typically lack the intricate layers of social commentary, political undertones, and a pervasive exploration of human decline. Instead, they tend to lean towards a palette of vibrant aesthetics, a sense of lightheartedness, and an overall airy quality.
Christopher Nolan Wasn’t Sure About Making The Dark Knight
In her role as producer, Emma Thomas, who has been married to Nolan for 15 years, remembers, “We approached them with the intention of creating a film that we believed had never been explored in the context of this character.” The idea was met with enthusiasm and approval. In Christian Bale, Nolan discovered an actor capable of capturing Wayne’s tormented inner self.
Nolan explains, “The damaged psyche that Wayne is controlling with that logical mind bubbles under. It’s a motivator. There are times in all three films when you see Christian bring that out in a really major way, so you feel this engine race.”
Audiences embraced it: Batman Begins raked in $374 million worldwide, which piqued Warner Bros.’ interest in a sequel.
“When we reveal the Joker card, that very much felt like the appropriate ending for Batman Begins,” he recalls. “It wasn’t really about setting up a sequel. I wanted [the audience] to leave the theater with their minds just spinning. Batman has arrived. That was always the snap of the ending. It wasn’t really until months after the film came out that I said, ‘OK, now I want to know who the Joker is?'”
Christopher Nolan hadn’t seriously contemplated one at the time, despite the film’s thought-provoking final scene.
How Was Heath Ledger Cast As The Joker
This question became the focal point for Nolan, working alongside his script collaborators, including his brother Jonathan Nolan, and David Goyer (who originally penned the initial draft for Batman Begins). It became the central theme of 2008’s The Dark Knight: Who is the Joker? In simple terms, the Joker emerged as Batman’s antithesis.
While Batman represented order, the Joker, a character devoid of a name or background, personified chaos. As Michael Caine’s faithful butler Alfred astutely phrased it, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.“
The incredible performance by the late Heath Ledger as the Joker was a driving force behind The Dark Knight’s success, propelling it to a global box office gross of $1 billion. This achievement not only made it the top-grossing film of 2008 but also secured its place as the highest-earning comic book-based movie, a record it held until the release of The Avengers later on.
The Dark Knight is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
