10 Things You Never Knew About The Dark Knight
From reluctant sequels to a hotel-room Joker obsession, the making of Nolan's Batman is wilder than Gotham itself.
ハドソン川の奇跡 ジャパン・プレミア レッドカーペット アーロン・エッカート — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Where to watch The Dark Knight ↓Nolan Didn't Want a Sequel
Despite Batman Begins' success, Christopher Nolan had zero plans for a follow-up. He and longtime producer Emma Thomas had never even worked on a sequel before.
Two Sequels on Paper
David Goyer actually outlined two sequels early on. Nolan then wrestled with how to keep the story going without breaking Batman Begins' grounded, realistic tone.
Actor Christian Bale at the Berlinale 2019 — Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
That Playing Card Was a Warning
The Joker playing card left at the end of Batman Begins was meant to prove Batman wrong. It signaled his belief that the war on crime would be temporary was fundamentally flawed.
Gary Oldman speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
No War on Terror Commentary
David Goyer and Christopher Nolan purposely steered clear of overt political statements about terrorism and the war on terror. They felt a direct approach would kill the story's universal resonance.
Heath Ledger in 2006 — Howie, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Joker Gets No Backstory
The Nolans deliberately gave the Joker no origin story or character arc because they thought it made him scarier. They later realized they had accidentally echoed his first appearance in Batman #1 from 1940.
Jonathan's Eight-Month Sprint
Jonathan Nolan spent six months turning the story into a draft screenplay and two more months refining it. He finished the work before Christopher wrapped directing 'The Prestige'.
Ledger Was the Only Choice
Heath Ledger's casting drew criticism from some in the industry. Executive producer Charles Roven insisted Ledger was the only actor seriously considered for the role.
A Month in Joker Jail
Heath Ledger locked himself in a hotel room for about a month reading comics to build the Joker. He then spent four months creating a 'Joker diary' filled with images and ideas he felt fit the character.
Rachel Dawes Gets Recast
Maggie Gyllenhaal stepped in as Rachel Dawes after Katie Holmes left. Holmes chose to star in the crime comedy 'Mad Money' instead.
Harvey Dent Channels RFK
Aaron Eckhart's take on Harvey Dent was shaped by Robert F. Kennedy. He drew on Kennedy's idealistic approach to fighting organized crime.