It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Heath Ledger as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Ledger’s performance redefined the character, delivering a chilling and unforgettable portrayal that left audiences in awe.
But as it turns out, Adrien Brody once had a meeting with Nolan about taking on the role, and he recently opened up about how close he actually came to donning the clown makeup.
In a conversation with Josh Horowitz, Brody revealed the reality of the situation, saying: “Oh no, I wasn’t close. It was a role that I felt very suited to do.”
Despite the outcome, Brody had nothing but praise for Ledger’s work: “Heath did such a remarkable job in that movie. It was indelible. Such beautiful work. Any actor who has a degree of edge would like to delve into a character like that, especially with a filmmaker like Christopher Nolan who brought such a profound vision.”
Reflecting on Nolan’s approach to the genre, Brody said: “Nobody was doing that at the time. There was nothing like that. Christopher Nolan’s work and what he gave actors in that was such a revelation. It was mind-blowing to see. That would have been such a dream role, and I’m sure it was for Heath.”
The conversation then took at turn to world of Marvel, with Brody being asked if he would consider stepping into the MCU. Brody explained he’d need the right combination of factors to make it happen:
“If I was presented with an opportunity to play an interesting character with a filmmaker that elevated me and gave me space to do something vastly different in that world, it sounds amazing.”
He added: “You have this wonderful machine. [They] know all the techniques and tools to stand behind these movies, and they’ve done something I think is enormous. People love them.
“Who wouldn’t want to be part of something beloved? It would take a tone I related to. It wouldn’t be just to…you know.”
It’s interesting to think about what Brody’s vision of the Joker might’ve looked like and how his career might have evolved had he landed the role like the Joker.
As for the possibility of joining the MCU, is there a character that you’d want to see him take on?
