Out On A Ledge

The Australian press reports that Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger may have scored the coveted role of The Joker in the Batman Begins sequel. And with that, the U.S entertainment media was of course, off and running with the story:

From the World Entertainment News Network--dated last Thursday

The actor was reportedly offered the plum part last week, and will star in the next installment of the film series, set to be released in 2008. Oscar-winner Robin Williams was reportedly desperate to land the role and The Da Vinci Code star Paul Bettany was also rumored to be in talks for the part. The film website Moviehole.net, says filmmakers wanted to cast an actor in the part of Batman's adversary who was roughly the same age as 32-year-old star Christian Bale. Ledger is also working with Bale on I'm Not There, a film in which seven actors embody different aspects of musician Bob Dylan's life and work.

That report makes it seem as though no casting decision has been made yet with regards to the film. Notice the word "offered" not "accepted" is used...However this blurb by Stax of Filmforce makes it appear as though Ledger has the role wrapped up...

July 27, 2006-... The Batman-on-Film.com website has heard, as almost everyone has by now, that Heath Ledger is going to play The Joker in the next movie.

The site claims The Joker will be just one of the villains in a larger story and that he won't appear until halfway through the movie, a la Batman in Begins. He is also expected to have a backstory."From what I've heard about the direction of the film expect The Joker to be very creepy and very extreme," a trusted source for BoF advised the site, claiming that Ledger's Clown Prince will be totally unlike Jack Nicholson's portrayal in the 1989 film.

BoF's source suggests, " Ledger is perfect for the role as he has never played this kind of part before which is what Nolan was after. Think about it – if you see Sam Rockwell or Robin Williams or even Hugo Weaving, you'd know exactly how they would play the role before even seeing the film and that's not very intriguing for fans is it? I have a feeling Paul Bettany was out of the mix after his performance in The Da Vinci Code."

BoF also reports that any previously rumored titles for the sequel are just that. "The title will most likely not be known until they've finished shooting."

Hmm...Ledger huh? Let's say for the sake of discussion BoF and Filmforce have it right...I just don't see him playing dark. In his darkest film to date, The Order (2003) he was as stiff as a board. And even though, he now has all this buzz around him following Brokeback--I think he still would be an "ify" choice at best...He is a solid actor, but I think he lacks the range required for the part. Waiting for an official announcement either way...And hey I would be happy to be proven wrong with my assessment