Heath Ledger is the New Joker

Posted on August 1, 2006

Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker in the next Batman film.

Batman is heading into a sequel, this time titled "The Dark Knight," and he will face-off against the Joker. Christian Bale will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Christopher Nolan is returning to the directing chair. Heath Ledger has signed on to play the sardonic and murderous villain the Joker, immortalized by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman."

The script will be written by Nolan's brother, Jonathan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. Christopher Nolan and Goyer co-wrote last year's "Batman Begins."

Production is scheduled to begin in early 2007. Rumors had Phillip Seymour Hoffman considering the role of Penguin in the film, but no word yet on whether that bit of casting will pan out.

Heath Ledger seems like an unusual choice for The Joker, we have to admit. But he's a good actor and will no doubt bring a new interpretation to the role that should be pretty interesting.


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