This is an interesting story that’s sort of come out this week and is making the rounds at all the entertainment sites out there.
This article might contain a spoiler for The Dark Knight, so if you would rather not know, then skip it.
There have been some secret screenings of The Dark Knight around the country, which isn’t totally unusual, the release date is coming up soon, so getting audiences feedback is something that happens all the time.
But some of the reactions at these screenings have been pretty awful for one particular scene. Apparently somewhere in the plot The Joker fakes his own death and is seen in a body bag looking pretty dead.
The viewers at these screenings have predictably been a bit offended and slightly outraged at the sight of Heath Ledger in a body bag.
According to CinemaBlend.com, this is perhaps causing the studios to think about cutting that whole scene entirely.
And I have to agree with Stuart Wood at CinemaBlend.com, to do this would be a travesty and completely ruin the work that Ledger did.
Do you think Ledger is sitting up there hoping they don’t put that scene in the movie? I doubt it. I think he wants to see it as badly as we do. It was his last finished piece of work, and it shouldn’t be tarnished because some people are “overly sensitive“, as Stuart writes.
The best part about these screenings however, is that the movie is being said to be BETTER than the previous Batman Begins, and that Ledger’s work as The Joker is astounding and amazing to see.
Let’s hope that this time, the studio forgoes being so politically correct, and give us what Ledger would have wanted his fans to see: The whole story.
What about you guys? Would you rather see the scene cut?
Although that mental connection of the death of Heath Ledger and seeing him in a body bag is something that would be hard to avoid, to be outraged and even offended would be ridiculous. The makers of the movie are not maliciously trying to offend us. Also, we have to remember that this is the Joker, a character, in a body bag. I fully anticipate that I will feel uneasy and sad when I actually do see him in a body bag because his real world tragic death will be right there with me. But I’m not going to be mad about it.
You know, I really question my intelligence sometimes. Mike puts spoiler in bold and yet I can’t help but begin to scan the article even though I don’t want to know any spoilers about the movie I am so freaking excited to see. So what do I see, like immediately? Joker in a body bag. Ugh!
And no, don’t cut the scene. Heath Ledger was a true professional and would never have wanted them to cut it. I am sure I will feel as sad when I do see it as the day he died.
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I saw this yesterday and thought it was just silly. As an actor, I’m sure Heath would want his complete work shown. I’m also psyched that this is supposedly better than the first movie. Let’s hope it is and that they leave all scenes intact.
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I’m on board with not cutting the scene.
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Too much is made of the comparison to count it as poor taste… Keep it in!
I agree with the sentiments here so far, but I wonder if keeping the scene in will be distracting to the overall story telling. Will we be thinking about Heath Ledger’s death, instead of invested in the story? Just wondering…
Good point J, but even if there wasnt a body bag scene in it, wont you already be thinking about Ledgers death anyways?
If Heath has done his job - then probably not.
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From looks of the trailers, I think he worked OT on his performance, looks simply magnificent!!
I’m sort of thinking along the same lines as Jina here. Just seeing the previews is enough to make us think of his death. Seeing him in a body bag, especially now, really might take us out of the moment which destroys the scene anyway. They might have to think about recutting the scene somehow.
Regardless of how we all feel, I think now that the issue is out there, they will probably cut the scene (maybe have it on the DVD someday). I just don’t see them wanting to come across as insensitive to people on this issue. Although, I agree that as an actor, he would have wanted it in there.
I think I’ll be thinking about his death throughout the movie so the subject will be hard to shake whether the scene is deleted or not. Maybe they should ask his family what they prefer?
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Warners already said they wont cut the scene and are leaving it in, thank goodness.
I think Warners is thinking of the potential draw more so than what his family might think.. I’d doubt they would ask.. though perhaps they should
Leave the scene in. Heath didn’t die while filming The Dark Knight.
He was already working on another film -”The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.”
* Don’t bother the family - they’re too busy arguing over how to divide his estate.
Of course the scene should remain as it was intended.
To be honest, I’m sick of all the weeping and whaling that’s gone on over his death.
Sure, the bloke was a good actor. And it’s sad when anyone kicks the bucket that young, and in such a way.
But life goes on. People should just get over it.
I’ve been seeing this story all over the internet & it’s stupid. I think that out of respect for the actor they should leave it in, especially if it’s a part of the story.
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Thanks, Tommy
Christ! He’s dead like a lot of other great actors! And as surely as you and I will be in the future. Leave it alone already. And let the scene stay. We would be the insensitive ones for compromising his final and supposed greatest work. People are so frickin whiny with their “he’s in a bodybag in a movie”. So be it, that’s life, or…..death. Thanks for the all the good flicks heath. R.I.P.
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@Cable - No one has said anything about it in a month except you. I think we’ve left it alone.