It has been over fifteen years since Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight (2008), and fans believe there’s not yet a portrayal of Joker—the uber-iconic Batman villain—that quite matches up to the unprecedented legacy set by Heath Ledger. While this has been DC fans’ consensus for a while now, one deleted scene from the $1.006 billion movie caused the sentiment to reverberate once more.
The sequence in question follows The Clown Prince of Crime into a bus right after he pushes the detonate button on the Gotham General Hospital. Although in the movie, the scene shows Joker making an escape in a school bus only to cut to Gary Oldman’s James Gordon, the deleted scene allows viewers to sit with the antagonist and the aftermath of what he’d done.
To say it’s a spine-chilling moment would be an understatement and best demonstrates why audiences continue to favor Ledger’s performance even above the likes of Joaquin Phoenix’s in Todd Phillips’s 2019 super-hit.
The Dark Knight (2008) Deleted Scene Reaffirms Heath Ledger’s Legacy As The Joker
Posted to YouTube by Flashback FilmMaking, the deleted The Dark Knight scene—well, a take, really—shows Heath Ledger’s Joker being driven off on a school bus right after he blows up the Gotham General Hospital.
Those who’ve seen the movie know that what precedes this deleted sequence is legendary in its own right, but why this particular clip elicited the reaction it did has to do with the indifference with which Ledger’s Joker handles the aftermath.
The nuanced interpretation subverts audiences’ expectations, as the antagonist doesn’t even bother offering as much as a glance at the destruction caused. He sits there with what can be deemed a slight smile at the chaos unfolding.
You can check out the clip below:
In a film full of unbelievable feats, action-packed sequences, and psychological refinement, this specific take does not involve any exceptional happenings (of course, besides the practically achieved explosions). It’s, however, the subtlety of the performance that amazed fans.
It’s a grim perspective on the clown prince. With most interpretations, we’ve seen actors stick to Joker’s most distinctive attribute: unpredictability.
We seldom know what to expect from the villain. In the comments, one user highlighted, “You’d expect the Joker to laugh … about this, but instead, he’s sitting there ice-cold. Great reverse joke.”
So, when the antagonist doesn’t even laugh or fall back on his usual antics, the disturbing shades of his psyche feel all the more sinister. It’s a brilliant take, and although excised to (presumably) keep up with the film’s pacing, it demonstrates why Ledger’s Joker remains the most beloved.
Not only has this never-seen-before sequence re-established people’s awe over the on-screen character, but it has affirmed, yet again, the supremacy of Ledger’s performance, for which he posthumously received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
It also elicited a round of what-ifs from fans, who wondered what a solo film with the late actor’s take on the role would’ve looked like.
Heath Ledger’s Brilliance As Joker Remains Incomparable As Fans Mull Over A Solo Film
It must be stated that Ledger’s performance remains incomparable, likely owing to its unsaturated nature. Whether or not a solo film would’ve evoked a similar reception is debatable, given how his character shone when put up with Christian Bale’s Batman.
It’s a symbiotic, synergetic element that elevated the overarching narrative, too. A solo film would’ve likely taken the veil off the mystery and intrigue of The Dark Knight‘s Joker.
That doesn’t mean fans haven’t entertained or mulled over the lost possibility. One fan affirmed in the comments section, “What a screwed up guy his Joker was! It’s a real shame we never got a solo film from Heath.”
Another commented, “Solo film with Heath directed by Nolan would’ve been the greatest movie ever.”
Others have voiced their appreciation by contrasting the late talent’s depiction with that of Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Phillips’ Joker (2019).
While this solo outing was triumphant despite the controversies surrounding it, many have concurred that Phoenix’s portrayal (which was outstanding in and of itself) can’t hold a candle to Ledger’s performance. On this, one comment said, “I like Phoenix, but Ledger STILL takes the top spot for me.”
A second user chimed, “The new Joker movie is a great standalone film … But Heath Ledger will always be the first to come to mind when I think of the Joker character.”
Another one wrote, “As far as Jokers go, I RESPECT Caesar, appreciate Nicholson, admire Phoenix…But downright fear Ledger.”
Ledger’s stint as the Joker was unfortunately limited to The Dark Knight, as the brilliant star died of an accidental overdose at age 28. With the DC villain, the Brokeback Mountain alum moved beyond his type and impeccably illustrated the depth, nuance, and improvisational skills he held.
His memory remains immortalized through his acclaimed body of work, especially in his depiction of the villain, with a recent conclusion dawning on most fans—no one will come close to replicating Heath Ledger’s legacy as the Joker.
The DC villain, nevertheless, continues to be adapted for the screen with different iterations bringing their respective flair to the game. The upcoming premise involving the antagonist to hit the theatres will be Phoenix’s Joker: Folie à Deux, slated to release on October 4, 2024.
If you wish to revisit and relish Heath Ledger’s take on the character instead, The Dark Knight (2008) is available for streaming on Max.
