Friday 18 July 2008

The Dark Knight


As was, perhaps, always inevitable, The Dark Knight is Ledger’s movie. It is a towering performance. From his menacing, pencil-packing greeting to Gotham’s Mob fraternity, to the threat and fire he conjures in exchanges with Maggie Gyllenhaal’s sexy, sophisticated brief and “The Bat-maaan”, to the Sophie’s choice surprises of the third act, he is pure, powerful, immense.

A force of fucking nature.

Mark Dinning, Empire

Source: The Dark Knight Movie Review and Trailers

442 comments:

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Jackie said...

@
@ Previous post's comments
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Anonymous said...

November 7, 2006

The Dark Knight: Heath Ledger Talks Joker
The Brokeback star plans to have the last laugh.

Heath Ledger isn't very scary in person. In fact, he's a soft-spoken sort who at times seems almost intimidated by the gaggle of reporters who surround him at press events. Still, the Brokeback Mountain star is set to play the potentially very scary role of the Joker in the soon-to-be-shooting Batman Begins sequel The Dark Knight. IGN caught up with Ledger earlier today in Manhattan, where he's promoting his new film Candy. And, of course, we lobbed the Joker questions at him like Batman would lob batarangs at his arch foe. For starters, the actor explained that he does not plan on taking inspiration from the Jack Nicholson version of the character from the original Batman film -- and neither is he anxious at the prospect of following in Nicholson's shoes.

"If he was drowning in a pool it would be [scary]," the actor cheekily says. "I'm obviously not going for the same thing he went for. That would just be stupid, and it's also two very different styles of directors and filmmaking. Tim Burton did a more fantastical kind of thing and Chris Nolan is doing the nitty-gritty kind of handheld realism thing. I love what he did and it is part of why I want to do it, and I remember seeing Batman and thinking how much fun it would be to put on that mask and to attempt to do something along those lines. But it would obviously just be murder if I tried to imitate and pointless to the project."

Ledger says that even though The Dark Knight is in preproduction and has yet to see a finished script for the film, he does have a good idea of what his Joker will be like.

"You know, I want it to be a very sinister kind of thing," he says. "It's so early that I'm trying to leave it open at this point and I don't want to be glued down to any one idea. … I've been kind of trying to delay my commitment to the preparation process on that because I'm just trying to extend my holiday. I definitely have an image in my head and I definitely have something up my sleeve."

With the sequel set to start shooting in early 2007 (with a 2008 release date), Ledger confirms that the picture is next on his slate. He also adds that he has little experience with the world of comic books, and prefers to keep it that way, though he has been provided with one particular comic to help him prepare for the part: Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's seminal The Killing Joke.

"I think that's kind of helping me a little bit, the fact that I was never really a fan of [comics]," says the actor. "I didn't exactly despise comic books or comic book movies but I was never really one to read them that much. I never sought out the films too often but I would enjoy them if I sat down and watched them. So because of that I really feel that I'm not carrying as much pressure. … The Killing Joke is the one that was handed to me. It's really good. So I think [the film] is obviously going to be a bit [about] the beginning of the Joker. I guess [The Killing Joke] explains a little bit of where he's from, but not too much. From what I've gathered, there isn't a lot of information about the Joker and it's kind of left that way."

The soon-to-be Clown Prince of Crime can't comment on any of the technical details of the film yet, as he doesn't know what his character will look like or how closely the film will hew to the Joker of the comic books in terms of visuals. But Ledger does say that he's already been introduced to the very thorough and detailed technical side of making a film like The Dark Knight.

"I did do a 3-D kind of image-scan kind of thing, but I don't know what they're doing with it or where they're taking it," he laughs. "I had this like Bat-truck turn up at my house. It was just this massive truck and inside it had all these gadgets and all these cameras that zoom around you up and down and instantly project a three-dimensional image of you. I've never used anything high-tech like that before in a film and I felt like I was in the back of the Knight Rider truck or something!"

As for the question of why he's playing a super-villain while most of his fellow Hollywood leading men are looking to play superheroes, Ledger explains that he has an edict fanboys have come to know as "no flights, no tights."

"It's just the tights and undies that I have a problem with, and the boots," he smiles. "I would just feel stupid and silly. I couldn't pull it off and there are other people who can perfectly, but I just couldn't take myself seriously. And I feel like this is an opportunity for me to not take myself too seriously, and for some reason I just gravitated towards [the Joker] and I knew I had something to give to him. And I just instantly had an idea of how to do it."

http://movies.ign.com/articles/744/744649p1.html

Anonymous said...

July 18, 2008

Heath Ledger wins film festival's Chauvel Award

THE late Heath Ledger, being tipped for an Oscar nomination for his performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight, will be awarded next month's Chauvel award from the Brisbane International Film Festival. The decision to award the honour posthumously for the first time in the award's 16-year history was announced today by the Arts Minister, Rod Welford, at the public launch of the 17th BIFF in the Queen St Mall.

Ledger, 28, who was separated from his actress girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he had a daughter, Matilda, in October, 2005, died in a New York apartment in January from an accidental overdose of prescription medications.

Mr Welford and the BIFF executive director, Anne Demy-Geroe, both attended Monday night's Brisbane premiere of The Dark Knight to watch Ledger's performance. Mr Welford said Ledger's passing highlighted how loved and revered he was, not just by fans, but also by the Australian filmmaking community.

Previous winners of the Chauvel Award (named for the pioneer Queensland born filmmaker Charles Chauvel and his wife Elsa) include Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush and Bryan Brown (who both appeared in films with Ledger), directors Fred Schepisi and Gillian Armstrong, and Oscar winning cinematographer John Seale.

Some of Ledger's friends and colleagues will attend the Chauvel presentation at the Regent Cinemas on August 7. The Chauvel Award is given by BIFF in recognition of 'distinguished contribution to Australian feature filmmaking'. It was introduced in the second year of the revived festival in 1993.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,24039085-3102,00.html?from=public_rss

Anonymous said...

I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner and I don't have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future.

Anonymous said...

^ :'(

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger's iPod and the microchip memorial

Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal dropped by the Today Show this morning to shill a movie, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Eckhart earnestly related to host Matt Lauer a story about their deceased costar Heath Ledger which he'd told Ledger's mother — namely, that friends were passing around Ledger's iPod as a form of remembrance:

"I told a little story about Heath's iPod. Whenever we went into the trailer we'd say "Whose iPod is this?" Because it would always be some wacked-out music nobody had ever heard of before. And it was Heath's. And that iPod has since become a symbol of Heath and his friends pass it around to each other, download the music and then pass it on."

Eckhart has obviously strayed from the Hollywood line on copyright— downloading music from someone else's iPod is clearly infringement. But a blithe diffidence to piracy isn't the only way Eckhart's form of mourning shows how the mass culture has been infected by Silicon Valley. A number of cases where bereavement meets technology have arisen over the last few years, such as the father of a American soldier who died in Iraq but couldn't get into his son's email account because Yahoo refused to allow access, or the numerous tributes left for the dead on their social network profile pages.

Ledger was only 28 when he died, on the cusp of the generation often called "Millennials." If he was anything like his peers, he must have defined himself in part by his taste in music. It's only natural that friends would go through his music collection as a way of getting a sense of the man they lost, with a song they enjoyed together providing a poignant point of shared experience.

But for those who already carefully craft their playlists the way my generation once obsessed over mixtapes, it puts a whole other layer of meaning onto your selections. I can see asking myself before synching with iTunes, "Will my friends appreciate the irony of including Journey's Greatest Hits if I get run over by a bus and all that's left of me is this iPod?"

Eckhart's recollection of Ledger suggests we can be known by our silicon — that we don't go to heaven as much as upload our digitized lives to the clouds. It is a view of our mortality that the programmers of Silicon Valley would be entirely comfortable with: Ashes to ashes, bits to bits.

http://valleywag.com/5025908/heath-ledgers-ipod-and-the-microchip-memorial

Anonymous said...

The Dark Knight is sooooo good. Everyone is brilliant in it.

Anonymous said...

ANNE EX WANTS TO DEAL

Anne Hathaway dumped him. The feds busted him. Now accused con artist Raffaello Follieri could be getting ready to cut his losses and make a deal with prosecutors. "Follieri is in plea discussions," Assistant US attorney Jennifer Burns said late Wednesday as she updated a federal magistrate judge on a series of pending cases during a routine court appearance.

With bail set at $21 million, Follieri has been behind bars since his arrest on June 24. He allegedly swindled investors out of millions by convincing them his Vatican ties gave him first dibs on flipping Catholic Church properties.
...
Assistant US Attorney Reed Brodsky has estimated Follieri would likely spend up to nine years behind bars if a jury convicts him of wire fraud and money laundering. A deal to plead guilty could land him a reduced sentencing range of five to 6½ years.

The dashing Italian stands accused of stealing up to $6 million from his investment firm and spending it on a lavish lifestyle - blowing large sums on apartments, vacations, clothes and gifts for his longtime girlfriend, "Get Smart" star Hathaway.
...
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07182008/news/regionalnews/anne_ex_wants_to_deal_120456.htm

Anonymous said...

Jackie, your taste is impeccable. You posted the precise quote that says it best. HL in TDK: pure, powerful, immense. Merci.

I work with a bunch of guys I would not characterize as fanboys, though they are, shall we say, involved in media. These hard-ass cynics are creaming their jeans over Heath as the Joker. I've never seen anything like it. He's changed the game.

Anonymous said...

Long time ago ...

The Day After Tomorrow - Jake Gyllenhaal Q&A

Q: What made you want to do a blockbuster like The Day After Tomorrow?
A: I love big movies and I always have. I love watching them. I’ve never been a cineaste, preferring just small, independent films. I love big entertainment movies, so it wasn’t really a hesitation on my part.
It was just whether I would have enough to do – whether it would just be a movie about the weather, or be a movie about human relationships, with a character you want to watch. I read it and I thought it was awesome.

Q: Were you a fan of director, Roland Emmerich’s previous work?
A: I loved Independence Day, and that was a big part of me really wanting to do this movie. It has a great sense of humour – I found myself laughing at the secondary characters getting squashed, like the reporter who gets hit with an Angelina [Jolie] billboard.

Q: Do you think this film will have the same impact on your career as Titanic did for Leonardo DiCaprio? Are you worried that it will?
A: With a story like that [Titanic], their love story was the centre of the movie. But with this, the central relationship is father-and-son, and I don’t think there’s ever been a huge public response to a father-son love story, in the way there would be to a love story. But, no, I’m not worried about that.

Q: So it’s a family story, in a way?
A: Yeah. The problems within the family, with people not paying attention to each other, are the same thing we do to the environment, and I thought that was an interesting idea. I don’t think it’s completely in the film, but I approached it that way. I thought it was a beautiful metaphor. It’s like, if we could figure out the problems in our family, we could help the bigger picture.

Q: I heard that Dustin Hoffman, who you worked with on Moonlight Mile, advised you against taking the role…
A: Yeah! He was saying ‘You don’t know how many offers you’re going to get. Just wait it out and don’t be impatient.’ I said, ‘Dustin, I really want to make this movie’. And I think he’s been through movies that haven’t been his cup-of-tea – he’d rather be the storm in the movie than the storm itself!

And I totally respect that. But I grew up with those movies. I go every Summer to all of them. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to do it. It’s a lie to say it’s a career-movie, or it’s a lie to say the character was amazing – I just wanted to be in a movie like that.

TDAT Q&A

Anonymous said...

That poster is so beautiful Jackie. Thanks for posting : )

Anonymous said...

It is so beautiful; great post today Jackie. I forgot to mention yesterday's about John Barrowman was wonderful too. Wish I could see the program on BBC1. :)

Anonymous said...

Should we see the previous Batman for continuity for TDK, does the story follow from that, or not, does anyone know? :)

Anonymous said...

I loved Independence Day, and that was a big part of me really wanting to do this movie.

I love Independence Day too. I bet Jake imagined to be Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith), just like me :)

Captain Steven Hiller: Who's the man? Huh? Who's the man? Wait till I get another plane! I'm a line ya friends up right beside you! Where ya at, huh? Where ya at?
[Hiller opens the spaceship, the alien screams, Hiller smacks him in the head]
Captain Steven Hiller: Welcome to Earth.

Anonymous said...

^^ :)

Anonymous said...

Should we see the previous Batman for continuity for TDK, does the story follow from that, or not, does anyone know?

I didn't see Nolan's Batman either and was just thinking how it would be a good idea to see it before TDK, to get familiar with his Batman characters.

Anonymous said...

If it's the one with Katie Holmes and the short Irish actor (forgot his name)....
....you'd better skip it.

Anonymous said...

re previous Batman. Not necessary to see it first, but it would provide some context. Nolan is an intelligent director and his 2005 film was a major overhaul. He basically transformed the bat from kitsch to killer. You might enjoy watching Bale do his icy smoldering thing. Irish beauty Cillian Murphy is wasted. Katie Holmes IS a waste.

Anonymous said...

Ewan McGregor goes gay(ish)

Ewan McGregor goes gay(ish) for the cover of Angeleno magazine. The cover is a deceptively cropped shot which shows the Scottish actor hugging a heavily tattooed person of unidentifiable gender. However, a zoomed out version of the photo inside the magazine reveals the model to be a (very hot, at least from the back) man.

Ewan McGregor interview & photos

Anonymous said...

The midnight Dark Knight test

Yes, it is that good. Because really, I had two questions in mind when I went to a midnight screening of The Dark Knight. First, is it really worth the 94% rating it has on Rotten Tomatoes? The theater I was in seemed to think so -- hundreds of overeducated, smart-ass comic nerds and movie buffs who needed to be there opening night, who were all excited but cautious, who required being won over. And I never heard a snort, a groan, a snide remark, or the shushing of people across the theater. The second question is whether Heath Ledger really is that amazing, or are critics blowing smoke up his legacy's ass? The answer to that is, "Jack who?" Oh wait, there's a third question -- how much of Christian Bale's skin do we see? Unfortunately, not much, so savor the scene early on when he takes off his undershirt.

The movie has some great superhero action scenes, but they are balanced equally to the story about crime in society and moral ambiguity of those who maintain the rules (even if only to break them). It teetered on being heavy-handed, but in the end, the director won me over with his dark, brutal film that doesn't let anyone off the hook with who gets hurt. I liked the first Christopher Nolan Batman movie while watching it, but honestly, I couldn't remember much about it by the next day. This film is much more haunting and memorable, with a vision of a Gotham that doesn't seem too far off from the corruption of Chicago, a city that is equally a star in this movie.
...
http://www.popnography.com/2008/07/the-midnight-da.html

Anonymous said...

"He’s just a clown painted on black velvet, but he’s also some kind of masterpiece."

Manohla Dargis has a way with words.

NYTimes

Anonymous said...

(from previous post)

"And he never sold his soul to the paparazzi, pimped his relationship, or descended to working for Jerry "schlock" Bruckheimer."

Ledger sold his soul years ago by moving as far away from Jake as possible because of the gay rumors. The current Ledger/TDK festschrift is interesting, but it should not descend into revisionism. Ledger was a superb actor, but he was also a deeply flawed, manipulative man who ran away from BBM as fast as his no-so-straight legs to could take him.

Anonymous said...

"Ledger sold his soul years ago by moving as far away from Jake as possible because of the gay rumors. The current Ledger/TDK festschrift is interesting, but it should not descend into revisionism. Ledger was a superb actor, but he was also a deeply flawed, manipulative man who ran away from BBM as fast as his no-so-straight legs to could take him."



Thanks you for that !!!!

seriously i love heath but he is not a god.

Anonymous said...

Heath run away from Jake? He made him Godfather and they remained close the whole time. Probably avoided to be seen publically together because of inevitable stupid rumors.
Let's not bring up this shit again!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

A few years ago I read when Heath established his production company "Masses" he invited Jake to the party among other friends.

Anonymous said...

I didn't agree with Jake's, what I perceived as insensitve behaviour with Reese after Heath died, but I really believe he loved Heath and Heath him. Jake called him his "special" friend when Ted and Lisa spoke to him.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Oh Hell, I'm going to read it. :)

Anonymous said...

"A few days ago, in an eerie echo of Franny and Zooey, Maggie Gyllenhaal, now 30, imparted to an interviewer, “As you get older and start to look at things that are ‘broken’ about your parents (everybody’s parents have those things), it’s nice to have someone else to ask, ‘Am I crazy?’ or, ‘Was this crazy?’ Jake is very good at figuring that stuff out.”

This is a very old quote, as are some others from this piece.

Which doesnt negate the comment. of course.

But more interesting: how come NO ONE has noticed that The Joker is gay as a goose?

Anonymous said...

But more interesting: how come NO ONE has noticed that The Joker is gay as a goose?

How's Joker gay? Please no spoilers, many of us didn't see the film yet.

Anonymous said...

I admire Maggie and Pete. Jake has to make his own way. I don't think George Clooney Leo,and Brad gets this much pressure. I don't get it. Jake is only 27 and he's scruitized as if he's Britney Spears.

Anonymous said...

People think Brad Pitt is bi or gay?

Anonymous said...

Ledger sold his soul years ago by moving as far away from Jake as possible because of the gay rumors.

Why would Heath have a problem with that?
I've read somewhere that Heath was living with gay friends after he moved to LA.

Anonymous said...

Ledger sold his soul years ago by moving as far away from Jake as possible because of the gay rumors. The current Ledger/TDK festschrift is interesting, but it should not descend into revisionism. Ledger was a superb actor, but he was also a deeply flawed, manipulative man who ran away from BBM as fast as his no-so-straight legs to could take him.

2:01 is right Heath's not god, far from it, but the above is utter bullshit.

Anonymous said...

But more interesting: how come NO ONE has noticed that The Joker is gay as a goose?

The Joker's gay as a goose?! Really? Explain yourself if you please.

Anonymous said...

People think Brad Pitt is bi or gay?

Gay rumors and Brad Pitt?

Anonymous said...

Jake, Cannes film festival, May 2007:

"I know many people who have marriage and children as their number one priority. But I've thought about that hard and think you shouldn't put the cart before the horse. You must first meet another person with whom you'd like to create a family. I know that when I have a wife and children it will be completely the right thing for me, but in the current phase of my life I'd probably prefer to just prepare for it. For the moment,my parents, my sister and her family are the best things I have in my life. No doubt at all. Yes, I would gladly have my own small family. But I'm still young."

Anonymous said...

Check out the new teaser trailer for Terminator Salvation featuring Christian Bale as John Connor.

Terminator - teaser trailer

Anonymous said...

The Dark Knight has broken Stars Wars' record in $$$$ for midnight showings: http://www.variety.com/VR1117989149.html

Anonymous said...

Screw Superheroes -- Just Give Me Darkness

The Dark Knight succeeds as a film because it fearlessly trashes the idea of heroism, and turns hopelessness into a motivation so pyrotechnic that even torture is a kind of seduction. In this film, nothing escapes corruption. Even the poignant anguish of loss is an emotion summarized by gleeful beatings in police stations, innocent faces burned down to bone, and brute-force surveillance that turns an entire city into one giant spy camera. This is a movie that grabs you by the hair and mashes your cheeks against the cold, flat reality that nobody will ever save the day again. Your only joy from now on will be in destruction. And what glorious destruction it is.

Spoilers ahead.
...

http://io9.com/5026715/screw-superheroes-++-just-give-me-darkness

Anonymous said...

Just Jared

Salma Hayek and French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault have called off their engagement, their rep confirms to USA TODAY.

“We are sad to announce the engagement of Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault has been canceled. There will be no further comment,” Hayek’s rep said in a statement.

Anonymous said...

Wow. CB is really getting offered some excellent roles. I had no idea that he was in Terminator. He deserves it though. Hes a great actor.

Anonymous said...

DL gossip:

"So there is no basis to the rumor that he was seen leaving a gay bar late tuesday night? The buzz in my office is that he was seen leaving a gay bar and he was trying to hide his face with a hooded jacket but that someone snapped a pic. So far I haven't seen any pics but maybe whomever took it is still negotiating a price?

by: Anonymous reply 625 07/18/08 @08:30
---

R625 here. I am in London. The bar supposedly is a London bar. No one seems to know which bar though, and no one knows any details but the office was buzzing. I can't find any photos or mention of it online, so who knows if it's true?
---

http://www.datalounge.com/cgi-bin/iowa/forum/thread/gossip/6631235/page-22.html

Anonymous said...

I hope TDK breaks records. I think TDK is partly responsible for Heath's death. In a N.Y. Times interview he admitted that he got insomnia as a result of filming the movie. He was on sleeping pills, pain killers because of his bad back and on anxiety meds. All the pills killed him.

Anonymous said...

July 13, 2008

On location: The Joker's voice, born in Chicago

Without question, Heath Ledger didn't go out of his way to seek publicity while in Chicago last summer filming ''The Dark Knight,'' but the actor was not exactly a hermit, either. Especially when he first hit town in late May, 2007, the Australian actor spent quite a few evenings checking out a wide range of restaurants and nightspots in what turned out to be a kind of listening tour related to his character, the Joker.

''Always before, Heath's visits to Chicago were extremely brief -- mainly flying in for a day or two, to do press for one of his films,'' said Jim Hardy, a New York filmmaker and friend of Ledger and former girlfriend Michelle Williams who met the couple when they lived near him in their Brooklyn neighborhood. ''When Heath learned he would be spending a good bit of time in Chicago filming the 'Batman' movie, he asked me and anyone else who knew about the city where to go to eat and fun things to do when he wasn't working.'' Though he often would fly back to New York to see his infant daughter Matilda on his days off, Ledger did manage to hang his hat in a number of Windy City watering holes.

''Hang his hat'' is probably not the best phrase to use describing Ledger, as the actor -- when out in public -- would rarely doff one of the two chapeaux he often donned: a dark-colored (usually brown or gray) wool knit cap pulled down to his eyes or a jaunty, retro-looking fedora, often worn with oversized sunglasses. Bareheaded or not, Ledger managed to check out more than a few popular eateries and clubs in the Gold Coast, River North and Streeterville neighborhoods while ensconced in Chicago last summer, creating the role many think will win him a posthumous Oscar next February.

A quiet kind of guy
Shortly after hitting town, Ledger was sighted on several occasions at Sound-Bar and Cabaret, also making a point to check out Billy Dec's Underground nightclub, which was just hitting its stride. Though sometimes accompanied by members of ''The Dark Knight'' crew, he rarely was seen partying with fellow cast members.

Co-star Christian Bale told the Sun-Times recently, ''He was a wonderful man and great company to be with. I wouldn't say we became great chums or anything like that .... Heath struck me as a very private man and I respected him greatly. I'm always a bit suspicious -- especially on a film set -- when someone tries to become your instant pal. Heath was the kind of person who took friendship seriously, but let it evolve and grow slowly .... That's the best way.''

And there isn't much evidence for rumors about Ledger's activities on location. ''Despite all the rumors about him being a big stoner and doing drugs, I never saw that,'' said a "Dark Knight" production staffer who requested his name not be used. "We'd get out for a beer or two, but often Heath would not even drink something that strong. I saw him on a couple of occasions only drink club soda all night long.

''He was a great listener, and unlike a lot of actors with big egos, he would listen to what you had to say and seemed really interested in our lives.'' Aaron Eckhart, who plays Harry Dent/Two-Face in ''The Dark Knight,'' also admitted that he and Ledger didn't socialize in Chicago. ''But then, I was kind of a loner myself [while in town], and really enjoyed just reading in that little park across from McCormick & Schmick's [Connors Park] or swimming in the lake or going for a run.

''Plus given the nature of our roles, I think Heath and I both knew instinctively that we needed to keep ourselves apart during filming .... Besides, I think he's the kind of guy who related more to the crew, rather than other actors. Heath was so down-to-earth and natural. I think he related best to other people who really work for a living."

Accent action
According to director Christopher Nolan and others who worked on ''The Dark Knight,'' a key reason Ledger even went out in public in Chicago was to help create the voice he wanted for ''the Joker.'' The actor told associates he felt the character required a ''flat, Midwestern or Chicago accent ... somewhat nasal and even a bit effeminate.''

It was all part of the back story he and Nolan informally constructed for the Joker, reflecting the psychological damage done to the twisted criminal when he was a child being badly abused by his horribly cruel alcoholic father. Even Chicago resident Jenny Berger, an administrative assistant for a large investment firm and self-avowed ''huge movie fan,'' learned about the ''accent thing'' straight from Ledger himself. Berger spied Ledger drinking coffee in the Oak Tree restaurant in the 900 N. Michigan Ave. shopping mall last June. ''We were sitting at tables next to each other -- way in the back. I quietly introduced myself and told him how much I loved 'Brokeback Mountain.'

''He was totally gracious and very cool .... As we got to talking, he said, 'You're not from Chicago, are you?' I admitted I was originally from Boston. That led to a discussion of accents, and he told me he was carefully listening to Chicagoans -- because that was the accent he wanted for the Joker.''

Covering territory
Among places Ledger was seen -- perhaps part of his ear-tuning for that accent -- was Bloomingdale's, though he also scooped up quite a few outfits there for his little girl. Ledger also shopped at Neiman Marcus, the Gap and Macy's. Among the restaurants the actor frequented during his three-month stay in Chicago were SushiSamba Rio (seen wearing a Western shirt reminiscent of his ''Brokeback Mountain'' role), Rockit Bar, the Weber Grill (he loved the burgers there) and Brazzaz.

Ledger also made at least one foray into the Greektown neighborhood on South Halsted and a crew member claimed he took the actor down to Chinatown as well. Before the ill-fated star left Chicago -- for the final time, as it sadly turned out -- in early September, he finished his ''tour'' of Chicago restaurants at Carnivale, spending his last night in Chicago playing poker until the wee hours.

Word has it, Ledger left with a smile on his face. The Joker ended up winning big.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/zwecker/1052964,SHO-Sunday-zwecker13.article

Anonymous said...

In Hollywood they are many sham marriages. Eddie Murphy, Tom Cruise and George Clooney to name a few. Nothing new in this town. Everybody knows what going on. I can't judge these people. I really don't care who doing who.

Anonymous said...

5:20 PM Great article, thanks for posting.

Anonymous said...

He was totally gracious and very cool .... As we got to talking, he said, 'You're not from Chicago, are you?' I admitted I was originally from Boston. That led to a discussion of accents, and he told me he was carefully listening to Chicagoans -- because that was the accent he wanted for the Joker.

Awww, that is so nice. Can't wait to hear The Joker's voice. This Bostonian must have said, "Excuse me, but aunt you Heath Ledgah?" lol

Anonymous said...

seriously i love heath but he is not a god.

can't argue with that.

Ledger sold his soul years ago by moving as far away from Jake as possible because of the gay rumors.

no. he did the opposite of selling his soul. jake was willing to play publicly ambiguous for PR. heath wasn't.

truth is, both were advised not to be pictured together, and both followed the advice. (I think that heath, always uncomfortable doing press anyhow, was glad to go low-profile. jake at first thought the rumors were funny and wanted to reap the publicity; he eventually changed his tune, big-time.) but from the start, neither the studio, management teams, nor jake or heath themselves wanted to give fuel to the post-BBM homophobic slagging that just diminished the film and integrity of the acting.

Ledger was a superb actor, but he was also a deeply flawed, manipulative man who ran away from BBM as fast as his no-so-straight legs to could take him..

superb, deeply flawed, yes.

not-so-straight? we'd have to ask jake about that. ;)

ran away from from BBM? both jake (jarhead) and heath (casanova) chose post-bbm projects that would emphasize their manliness. career management. neither wanted to be typecast. yes, post-bbm, jake played with his image to exploit the "gay dividend" - ground-breaking that there should be such a big one! heath was lousy at image-making and hardly interested, but he wasn't trying to run away from bbm. he deeply loved that movie and was very proud of it.

manipulative, ruthless conniver? people who worked with heath describe him as kind, thoughtful, down-to-earth, lacking in any vanity. who knows about his private family life. but most people would say that heath's bag wasn't to manip others - he was too busy fucking himself up.

not to add fire to any slasher fantasies, but heath loved jake, you know.

Anonymous said...

There was a lengthy article about The Masses on the web within the last 10 days. Can't remember where it was now, but one of the founders and a long time close friend of Heath's was gay. Heath was not a homphoboic man. If he and Jake had a falling out, I doubt it had it had anything to do with Jake being gay.

Anonymous said...

11:57, Heath was absolutely NOT homophobic, not at all. Now Jake on the other hand...

Anonymous said...

"not to add fire to any slasher fantasies, but heath loved jake, you know."

did jake deserve it, is the question.

Anonymous said...

There was a lengthy article about The Masses on the web within the last 10 days.

I have the link, will post it later.

Anonymous said...

Oh Hell, I'm going to read it. :)

That LJ is a very interesting read.

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger: Hollywood’s Dark Star

This was an impulsive buy, something I wouldn’t normally purchase based on the fact that so many ‘authors’ are cashing it on Heath Ledger’s death but I saw this while searching through the film section in Waterstones and I picked it up. It was then I realized that I had actually read more than half of the book by the time I shifted my weight. There are so many beautiful pictures and the writing is sensitive and poignant giving a thoughtful look into Heath’s life. It’s no secret that Heath Ledger was my favourite actor and for anyone else who loved the guy, this is something that should be part of your collection.

http://goblinmarket.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/heath-ledger-hollywoods-dark-star/

Anonymous said...

did jake deserve it, is the question.

I think the answer is obvious.

Anonymous said...

Please. The Jake rumours weren't about Heath, and Jake had Jarhead booked already when he was doing BBM.

Anonymous said...

I watched Batman Begins last night in preparation for The Dark Knight and to get reaquainted with the characters and story. I just loved it, loved Christopher Nolan's directing style, taking it from the original story and making it almost real, Christian Bale is a gorgeous and sexy, sensitive Batman, I loved the character of Rachel Dawes, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine are tremendous, and Cillian Murphy. I loved how it ended with Commissioner Gordon handing Batman The Joker's calling card. I got chills. I loved it; so I cannot wait now to see TDK! :)

Anonymous said...

I watched Batman Begins last night in preparation for The Dark Knight ...

I'm going to do the same.

Anonymous said...

Heath Ledger's long journey from Perth to Hollywood comes up short

There are 11,625 miles and 28 years separating the shaded suburb of Perth, Australia, where Heath Ledger was born, and the downtown Manhattan loft where he was found dead on Jan. 22, but the gulf seems much wider.

On that afternoon, the actor's housekeeper discovered Ledger's lifeless body – the tragic result of what was later ruled by the New York City Medical Examiner as an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including sleeping pills, pain killers and anti-depressants. Somehow, the actor whom friends, family and fellow Hollywood collaborators all describe as larger than life managed to become best known for his senseless death.

Ledger, who made it across the world on his looks and then overcame them with talent and the determination to avoid typecasting, left one final onscreen legacy: "The Dark Knight," the critically acclaimed superhero movie that's set to break box office records this weekend.

"I think he was a talented actor, who clearly had an intelligence and a curiosity to try different things and not be straight-jacketed into some Hollywood mould," said Leonard Maltin, the film historian and movie critic for "Entertainment Tonight." "I admired him for that."

"I would imagine that people will fall in love with Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker," said Shekhar Kapur, who became friends with Ledger after directing the then-22-year-old in 2002's "The Four Feathers."

Privately, Ledger confided to friends that the sinister Joker, the schizophrenic mass-murderer he plays in "The Dark Knight," represented the biggest challenge of his career.

"There was something about Heath that he would not ever do a part that he could not identify with, and part of his struggle must have been how do you identify with the Joker - and that must have been pretty chilling and tiring," said Kapur, who last talked to his friend by cell-phone just before Ledger went to sleep on the night of Jan. 21.

Thirty-one days before his death, childhood friend Jane Wishaw remembers seeing the Hollywood star for the last time at the swank Il Lido Italian Canteen on Perth's Cottesloe Beach. It was three days before Christmas, and Ledger was in town – with model Gemma Ward in tow - to surprise his mother Sally with an unexpected visit.

"He was very gleeful when he told me about the surprise," Wishaw said. "We talked about his family and his current roles." But the upbeat Ledger grew somber when the talk turned to "The Dark Knight," which he'd finished filming. "He looked a bit sad then," Wishaw says. "He was unsettled when he talked about The Joker. He seemed emotionally tired. Being away from his daughter Matilda affected him … when we talked about The Joker he went slack."

Gotham City, both the real and the fictional one, is on the other side of the Earth from the actor's hometown of Perth in Western Australia. A state capital of 1.5 million people, it feels more like a big country town than a big city. Perhaps that's because it's closer to the Indonesian island of Bali than to Sydney. The last time most Americans would have heard of Perth is 25 years ago, when a boat from the city's yacht club won the America's Cup. Though the city boasts other famous actors as exports - Melissa George and Isla Fisher, a.k.a. Mrs. Borat – Heath Ledger was its favorite son.

The feeling was mutual.

Haydn Ledger, one of Heath's uncles, recalled how his daughter, Jess, and Heath would go out for a beer whenever the star was home. "They're the same age and went to pubs in [inner-city] Northbridge," Haydn Ledger said. "Heath never had any money on him, but he always got a beer.
"Perth was a good sanctuary for him – a good hideaway. It helped we're in the most isolated city in the world."

There's a photo of Heath – the son of a French teacher and race car designer - in a school yearbook that friends and family say sums him up perfectly. In it the then-dashing 16-year-old is playing field hockey for Guildford Grammar School, running with the ball, his head bowed in concentration.

Ledger was a good student at Guildford – one of Western Australia's oldest and most exclusive private schools - for nearly ten years.

"He played hockey for the state and he was also a very talented cricketer," says headmaster Bob Zordan. In fact, staff members say he was good at everything he tried – especially when he turned his attention to performing. His dramatic debut was as Laertes in a school production of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Shortly thereafter, Ledger got himself an agent, followed quickly by a role as a gay cyclist in a short-lived TV series called "Sweat." "I remember his agonizing over whether to take that role," Zordan says. "Ultimately the opportunity proved too great to resist and he never looked back."

Within a couple of years Ledger was a working actor in the United States. But he never forgot his old teachers: after his first major starring Hollywood role, in "10 Things I Hate About You," he sent the school a huge framed poster of himself, complete with signature.

"We watched the ride with wonder, but his life was cut ridiculously short," Zordan says.
...

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/07/19/2008-07-19_heath_ledgers_long_journey_from_perth_to.html

Anonymous said...

...

Ledger never forgot his old friends after hitting the big time, either. When a fellow classmate, N'fa Forster-Jones, became a rap star, his old school buddy, Heath, came back to direct two of his music videos. One Perth entertainment insider said that his quick success with "Sweat" made the young Ledger a fixture on the hard-partying scene – a dabbler in drugs.

"Everyone there was like that, it was young people's stuff, but he was clearly the leader of the gang," the source said. Despite the drug use, Ledger seemingly could do no wrong – and showing the same drive clearly visible in the field hockey photo, he embarked on Hollywood, determined to go from the Land Down Under to the center of the movie universe.

Disney's head of casting, Marcia Ross, remembers vividly when Ledger, then a nobody on this side of the Pacific, first walked in to compete with hundreds of other aspiring actors at a reading for "10 Things I Hate About You," in early 1998. His only American credit to date was a TV pilot for Fox, which put him in the company of hundreds of other hopefuls. He was just shy of his 19th birthday, but he wasn't shy about much else.

"The thing I remember about him was that he was of course gorgeous, but not it a way you've seen before," says Ross. "He was a young guy, but he had a manly quality about him. There was a maturity about him. There was a breezy self confidence about him. "You just know that's it, that no one else could play that part."

Ledger didn't particularly want to play that part again. After the movie came out in 1999, the Aussie actor was flooded with offers for similar teen romantic comedies. He passed. And passed. Until he got the chance to star alongside one of his childhood heroes, fellow Australian import Mel Gibson, in 2001's "The Patriot." That role, as the hot-tempered son of a reluctant hero in the U.S. Revolutionary War, started the ball rolling. His next big gig was a critically-lauded supporting part in "Monster's Ball," as a death row prison guard, a performance Variety called a "short, cold, cruel portrait of a young man with no center." In other words, it was a far cry from any of his previous screen turns, not to mention from Heath Ledger himself.

Ross called Ledger "a character actor trapped in a leading man's body." He did accept one gig as a concession to his romantic lead looks: "A Knight's Tale," a rock n' roll medieval movie that was supposed to make him a star. Ledger was reportedly as uncomfortable making the popcorn flick as some critics were sitting through it. When Kapur cast him in "The Four Feathers" after an eight-hour screen test, the Indian director best known for the "Elizabeth" movies thought the young actor had the eyes of a "wise old soul." But more importantly for fans who might think Heath Ledger was too much of a pretty boy for the Joker, he had the physicality of an action star, Kapur said.

"He was incredibly agile," said Kapur. "I've never seen an actor that had that kind of capacity for action. He was so quick and so athletic, and this despite the fact that he smoked a lot."

One of Kapur's favorite memories of Heath Ledger was during the filming of "The Four Feathers" in 2001, for a scene in which his character has to fall off a horse in the midst of twenty galloping steeds, then get up, run, and leap onto the back of another rider less horse. The original plan was to shoot Ledger feigning a fall off his mount, then cut to the actor on the ground before making another quick cut. After each of those cuts, a stuntman would be filmed doing the actual dangerous work. Ledger insisted that it would be easier and look better on camera if he did the stunt himself.

"The guy just did it," said Kapur, still marveling to this day. "He fell off the horse, sat down, the galloping horses, the ones without riders, galloped by [him.] He then ran along the horse and then jumped on and he did it in one shot. "He just jumped on. For a moment there was an absolutely stunned silence and then the whole [set] broke out in cheers."

After "The Four Feathers" flopped at the box office in 2002, Ledger returned to his roots to play the titular real-life Australian outlaw in "Ned Kelly." It was that film that also kindled a two-year romance with co-star Naomi Watts.

Ledger may have hated the Hollywood pose, but he sure loved seducing beautiful starlets. Before Watts, there was a 2001 high-profile romance with actress Heather Graham, almost ten years his senior. And later, the actor's live-in relationship with "Brokeback Mountain" co-star Michelle Williams, which produced a daughter, Matilda Rose. After the breakup with Williams, Ledger either consoled himself by dating Helena Christensen, or just remained "friends" with the leggy supermodel, depending on which gossip rag one believes. The exact same innuendoes were reported at the exact same time regarding another model, Gemma Ward.

His dalliances made it hard for him to shake his Hollywood heartthrob image; at least until lovelorn cowboy Ennis Del Mar first rode, slump-shouldered, onto the screen in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain." That proved to be the year it all came together for Ledger, starting with Terry Gilliam's quirky dark fairy tale, "The Brothers Grimm," in which he co-starred with Matt Damon. His streak continued with "Brokeback Mountain," for which Ledger was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. He capped off 2005 with a little-seen but critically-hailed turn in the title role of the period comedy "Cassanova."

"Up to that point I'd been in a really self-destructive mode with my career – quite intentionally, actually," Ledger had told Entertainment Weekly. After all his Hollywood success, Ledger sightings were still common in Perth.

In 2001 he brought then-girlfriend Heather Graham home and showed her the local sights. At the speedway races south of the city, Ledger and his starlet girlfriend dined on French fries and then he impressed her further as he zoomed around the track himself. A few years later, he took Michelle Williams to the local botanical garden for a romantic walk. Three years ago, Ledger and Williams eschewed Hollywood for Brooklyn, New York – settling in the nicest brownstone on a tree-lined block that's right out of the opening of the "Cosby Show."

Sure, there were the occasional paparazzi lurking to snap photos of the couple pushing daughter Matilda in a stroller to the oasis of gourmet cookie shops and eateries a couple of blocks away. But otherwise the couple could mingle with their fellow Brooklynites in relative anonymity – as close to "normal life" as a pair of high profile actors could possibly hope for. Neighbors recall Ledger as a doting dad, and Matilda's name can still be seen etched in a concrete patch outside the family's olive green brownstone as if it were the front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

"This neighborhood seemed to suit his personality, which was certainly unique given his high profile," said Zach Zook, manager of the Book Court bookstore, a regular neighborhood haunt for Ledger and Williams. "He wouldn't get bothered walking down the street [like he would in Hollywood.]" An avid chess player since childhood, Ledger also discovered the chess tables at Washington Square Park in Manhattan where hucksters and masters face off against upstart challengers.

A regular at the tables, who claimed to have played against Ledger a couple of months ago, had this to say: "It wasn't like Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson blew through the park, nobody really recognized him. He seemed like just a really nonchalant, happy go-lucky guy."

That happiness, however, was fleeting. Depending on whom one finds more believable – publicists or gossip magazines – Williams and Ledger broke up last September because of his philandering, his recreational drug use, the pressures of fame, or simply amicable differences. Ledger moved into the SoHo loft where he would be found dead months later, and by all accounts struggled with being separated from his daughter. He threw himself into his work, casually dated at least one supermodel and loitered in the nightclub circuit.

The one thing he didn't do was sleep.

"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger told the New York Times in a now famous interview last November. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." He told the Times that he had taken a double dose of Ambien sleeping pills one night and, according to the article, "fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing."

That carelessness with prescription drugs would be his undoing.

The email alert sent out by the New York Police Department read: "ON TUESDAY, 1/22/08, AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 HOURS, IN THE CONFINES OF THE 5 PRECINCT, POLICE RESPONDED TO 421 BROOME STREET AND FOUND A M/W/28 UNCONSCIOUS. THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DOA AT THE SCENE." Ledger, who shied away from the spotlight off the set, would have cringed to see the media circus he left in his wake.

On that day before Christmas in Perth, Jane Wishaw asked Ledger what he was going to do next. "What do you suggest?" she recalled him telling her. "Hercules," she replied. "No way: I'm really lazy when it comes to exercise," he responded. "I poked his arms and said, ‘anything's possible in the movies'," Wishaw said. "We laughed, and I thought he'd come a long way from the boy who used to be told off for running through the neighbor's lawn sprinkler."

Exactly six weeks after that conversation, Wishaw found herself at Cottesloe Beach again, this time watching Michelle Williams, actress Rose Byrne and dozens of other mourners at Ledger's wake frolic in the surf as the sun went down.

Earlier, some 750 mourners at his memorial service, at a private girls school in Perth, listened to Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin' – the favorite song of the actor who had recently played Dylan himself in director Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There." Ledger's eight-year-old half-sister Olivia was overcome by the event and had to be taken away in an ambulance. "His death was so devastating on so many levels," Wishaw says, echoing the thoughts of millions.

Now he has just one final legacy – "The Dark Knight." Warner Brothers, buoyed by critics' unanimous praise, are reportedly planning an Oscar campaign for next year's Best Supporting Actor award. "I think [his death] adds poignancy to the experience of watching any of his films from this point on, because you have to get past that barrier of forgetting his tragic death," said Maltin.

That may be Heath Ledger's greatest act of all.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/07/19/2008-07-19_heath_ledgers_long_journey_from_perth_to.html

Anonymous said...

"The guy just did it," said Kapur, still marveling to this day. "He fell off the horse, sat down, the galloping horses, the ones without riders, galloped by [him.] He then ran along the horse and then jumped on and he did it in one shot. "He just jumped on. For a moment there was an absolutely stunned silence and then the whole [set] broke out in cheers."

wow.

Anonymous said...

The Hollywood Hype Machine goes into full throttle and poor Terry Gilliam can't catch a break. Everything I've read talks about this, TDK, being Heath's final film, his "final legacy". It's not though. Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is his last film, his final legacy, as it were. But there's more money in the TDK marketing budget alone than Terry Gilliam's whole production budget.

Anonymous said...

"The Jake rumours weren't about Heath"

Where's your sense of humor?

"and Jake had Jarhead booked already when he was doing BBM."

Heath had Casanova in the works when he was doing BBM.

Anonymous said...

According to Teresa, the woman who hosted Heath's website heathledgercentral, Heath was crazy about Jake. He chose him to be the Godfather after all.

Anonymous said...

"not to add fire to any slasher fantasies, but heath loved jake, you know."

How do you know that ?

Anonymous said...

From The National Post:

Terry Gilliam has told The Telegraph the studio push for Heath Ledger to be considered for an Oscar for his role in The Dark Knight is nothing more than a publicity stunt

"That's what Warner Brothers are saying, but they'll do anything to publicise their film. That's just what they do and you can't get upset because it's bull----. They're like a great white shark which devours whatever it can."

The push for Ledger to win an Oscar has, at least so far, been an internet-driven campaign by bloggers. In recent days, his co-stars in The Dark Knight, including Sir Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Christian Bale, have also added voice to the idea that Ledger deserves a nod for his portrayal of The Joker.

Gilliam, it should be said, is the director of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the film which Heath Ledger was working on when he died earlier this year. Later in the interview, the ex-Monty Python star was sure to publicise the fact that Ledger's scenes would remain part of the film, and that he would dedicate the film to Ledger.

So calling someone out for bull--- publicity stunts while pulling a bull---- publicity stunt is alright, then? All smells the same really.

Anonymous said...

"How do you know that ?"

Oh, come on!
.
.
.
.

If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

Anonymous said...

"Heath was crazy about Jake."

Well all that is fascinating.

Anonymous said...

Jake called Heath his "special" friend when Ted and Lisa spoke to him.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

^^^ Hi babbler. Can't stay away, can you?

Anonymous said...

"Ledger sold his soul years ago by moving as far away from Jake as possible because of the gay rumors."

Where's your evidence to support this?

Anonymous said...

The babblers and a lot of the bbm fandom are as delusional as each other, IMO. Both have a set image of Jake that they refuse to let go of no matter what.

Anonymous said...

Shamelessly nicked from OMG

July 18th, 2008

Tracy Morgan Interview

Morgan's 30 Rock buzz has helped secure him some high-profile film work as well. He co-starred with Ice Cube in the churchy broad comedy First Sunday and plays a prominent role in David O. Russell's disaster-plagued upcoming satire Nailed.
...
AVC: You're scheduled to play a major role in Nailed, David O. Russell's next film. What's your character like?
TM: Well, I play a guy that has an anal prolapse. And we're like a political version of The Wizard Of Oz. And I'm like the lion, and Jessica Biel is Dorothy, and Kurt Fuller is the Tin Man. And we just head off to the government to get health care for everybody. [Laughs.] All three of us have health problems, health issues, and we couldn't get health care. So we travel to the government to get health care. And things happen along the way.

AVC: What is an anal prolapse?
TH: It's where your asshole falls out. When you push too hard, it prolapses, it falls out. I'm lifting weights and I happen to catch a prolapse. Yeah. If you go online, you can see it. It's really crazy.

AVC: So are you trying to get a new asshole? Is that what your character is seeking?
TM: Yeah, I want 'em to fix it.

AVC: Did you do a lot of research into anal prolapses for the role?
TM: No, dude! No, my asshole's never really popped out. [Laughs.] It's a character, dude.

AVC: David O. Russell is known for having unconventional working methods. Did you find that to be the case when you were working on Nailed?
TM: Yeah, he can be. But we all had the same goal in common. We all want great stuff. It's a great movie at the end of the day, so we didn't mind. We went along with it, his methods. We went along with everything he's doing. We know he's a genius, and that was all that mattered.

AVC: What did you do during the writers' strike? How did you fill the days?
TM: I felt bad because it meant that everybody wasn't working. But it needed to be done, and I just hit the road and started doing stand-up. That's it.
...

http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/tracy_morgan_0

Anonymous said...

AVC: Did you do a lot of research into anal prolapses for the role?
TM: No, dude! No, my asshole's never really popped out. [Laughs.] It's a character, dude.


LOL
Nailed sounds like fun.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

I like the premise of Nailed and love satire but Jessica Biel is a mediocre actress/major weak point for the film.

Looking forward to seeing Jake in a comedy, though.

(I know a certain someone is going to post "maybe she'll surprise everyone" so I'll just do it for you.)

Anonymous said...

Disney's head of casting, Marcia Ross, remembers vividly when Ledger, then a nobody on this side of the Pacific, first walked in to compete with hundreds of other aspiring actors at a reading for "10 Things I Hate About You," in early 1998. His only American credit to date was a TV pilot for Fox, which put him in the company of hundreds of other hopefuls. He was just shy of his 19th birthday, but he wasn't shy about much else.

"The thing I remember about him was that he was of course gorgeous, but not it a way you've seen before," says Ross. "He was a young guy, but he had a manly quality about him. There was a maturity about him. There was a breezy self confidence about him. "You just know that's it, that no one else could play that part."


Heath had "it", that something you can't describe but definitely feel.

Anonymous said...

11:43, you made me cry.

Anonymous said...

Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Terry Gilliam has told The Telegraph the studio push for Heath Ledger to be considered for an Oscar for his role in The Dark Knight is nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Geez Terry, there must be better ways to piss on big movie studios.

Anonymous said...

Heath had "it", that something you can't describe but definitely feel.

So true. :(

Anonymous said...

A ‘Toast’ To The Mark-Knight

From The Dark Knight to The Mark-Knight … here are a few really adorable pics of T.R. Knight and his boyfriend Mark Cornelsen enjoying a lovely sunny afternoon together, with their dog, at Toast here in LA. I believe this is the first time we’ve seen this cute couple actually smoochin’ in public, which is just too precious for words, behold...

I’m not usually a fan of PDA but these two are SOOO CUTE! The boys enjoyed a lovely lunch together at Toast before doing a bit of pet shopping for their pooch nearby. It just warms the cockles of my heart to see these two so in lurve. They make a such a great couple, don’t you think?

Pink is the new blog

Anonymous said...

Batman Defeats Vader

Come on! Can't us Star Wars fans have anything left to brag about? The millions and millions of fans who crammed theaters to see The Dark Knight starting at midnight on Thursday put the comic book movie into record-breaking territory. Which is nice, except the record it broke was previously held by Revenge of the Sith. Sigh.

"Midnight screenings of Hollywood's latest Batman picture, 'The Dark Knight,' racked up $18.5 million at the box office its first day, Warner Bros. said. "Warner Bros. told Variety.com that figure only included the Thursday into Friday midnight screenings, not the Friday 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. showings that many theaters offered.

"The well-reviewed 'The Dark Knight' broke the midnight screening record set by 2005's 'Star Wars, Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith,' which grossed $16.9 million, the entertainment industry trade paper said."

Gawker

Anonymous said...

^^^ One of the comments:

We underestimated the power of the Dark Side.

Anonymous said...

ALL-TIME BEST OPENING DAYS

1. The Dark Knight - $66M
2. Spider-Man 3 - $59.84M
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest - $55.83M
4. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith - $50.01M
5. X-Men: The Last Stand - $45.1M
6. Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix - $44.23M
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End - $42.9M
8. Spider-Man 2 - $40.44M
9. Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - $40.11M
10. Spider-Man - $39.4M

Anonymous said...

^ 1. The Dark Knight - $66,4M

Anonymous said...

It looks like there’s a snag in Tom Cruise’s big career comeback film. According to sources, Cruise is probably not going to be playing the role of Edwin A. Salt, a fictional CIA officer who is outed as a spy. "Edwin A. Salt," which is set at Columbia Pictures, has had a rocky road. First Terry George was set to direct. He left and was replaced by Philip Noyce.

But now Cruise is out, and I’m told it’s because of money. Apparently, Tom is unaware of the change in his status in the Hollywood community. Where once he was the top-paid star, Cruise now is in a position where a $20 million salary is not possible. I’m told an internal memo went around among the film’s producers and top creators in which the Cruise situation was discussed and names were gathered for a replacement.

The reasons for Cruise’s departure are not just his diminished popularity, negative public opinion and Scientology — although those would be good enough. It’s also just generational. Cruise is 45. His heyday as a box office star — if he ever had one — is over. Like past huge leading action stars such as Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cruise must face the brutal facts of aging. Ironically, he’s been replaced by Will Smith, whom Cruise has courted for Scientology. Talk about rubbing "Salt" in a wound!

Of course, it doesn’t help that his last big feature, "Mission: Impossible 3," was eons ago, in Hollywood terms — 2006. On top of that, even a film shot now and released next summer would have to erase in the audience’s mind Cruise’s upcoming release, "Valkyrie," aka The Nazi Movie, due next February.

And still, "Salt" was not even going to be released by United Artists, the studio where Cruise has a financial interest. With "Salt" back in the shaker, maybe he can concentrate on projects with partner Paula Wagner at UA, instead.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,385542,00.html

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

There is an interesting thread on Datalounge with some good points about “how do closeted actors who are NOT homophobic rationalize their choice?”. If anyone is interested here’s the link

DL

Anonymous said...

^^^
How do closeted actors who are NOT homophobic rationalize their choice?

Entitled to equal opportunity?

Religion? I guess that would qualify as homophobic, though.

Money?

Fame?

Just saw Chad Allen being interviewed on being out and of course he was OUTED, however now that he's out, he claims his life is better. The biggest difference is the money...he's not making as much. But he says having the freedom to attend public events and not have to monitor everything he says is very liberating.

So, is money the bottom line?

Anonymous said...

Lest we forget -

01/24/2008 - Dan Abrams, the MSNBC host last night called attention to some of the anti-gay hate speech that has arisen from Heath Ledger's death and his association with Brokeback Mountain, including (though he won't mention them) the Fred Phelps clan, John Gibson, and various bloggers and commenters on message boards.

Abrams: "This is insanity. Yes I thought it was going to happen to some degree. But the notion that there are going to be some people there picketing at his funeral. I mean this is disgusting beyond what I even expected, and I think it's going to continue to some degree..."


Heath may be great in TDK but the Oscar hype is hype and can only garner backlash. Already, haters are out on some message boards with favorite insults like druggie and slob. Some people really care about clothes. But the BBM-gay slurs are there, too. It never ends.

Anonymous said...

not to add fire to any slasher fantasies, but heath loved jake, you know.

What kind of love are you talking about? There are different kinds of love. Do you mean platonic like a good friend? Important question, did Jake love him too?
I hope you'll come back to answer the questions, so people are not mislead.
I think they were fond of each other (even loved each other) and were "only" friends.
Teresa said Heath was crazy about Jake as a friend. That's what she said.

Anonymous said...

2:58 PM

Bloody homophobes.

Anonymous said...

2:58, I really hope there won't be too much backlash for Heath. Poor guy can't win. He would have hated all of this.

Anonymous said...

What kind of love are you talking about?

Does it matter?

Anonymous said...

"Does it matter?"

To me it does!

Anonymous said...

Why?

Anonymous said...

Why not? Why would this poster (is it you?) even mention that Heath loved Jake and then not clarify it.

Anonymous said...

No, I'm not the poster. There is not way he/she could know intimate details and feelings. Some things are too personal and the only way we could find out is Jake talking about them.

In Jake's memoirs, 30 years from now? :)

Anonymous said...

In Jake's memoirs, 30 years from now? :)

Or maybe it'll stay his secret forever. Something only him and Heath knew.
One thing is for sure I've never seen two people have so much chemistry on and off screen.

Anonymous said...

2:58 I get what you're saying but what's the alternative? Ignoring Heath's absolutely brilliant performance lest of the backlash?
He deserves the praise fully so he should get it no matter what, fuck the haters!

Anonymous said...

He would have hated all of this.

"Since the first time we met, on the set of Two Hands in Australia, Ledger has evolved into one of Hollywood's true A-list stars. Last year, he joined that elite group of Oscar nominees for his sensitive and much acclaimed performance in Brokeback Mountain. Looking back, the actor is genuinely surprised that the film took off like it did. "I was definitely surprised and my expectations for the film were really down here," he says laughingly, moving his hands towards the floor. "I was really pleasantly surprised and so grateful to have been given that opportunity and really proud of it but I'm really happy it's all over too, because it was really exhausting," Ledger says, recalling the awards season and the lead up to the Oscars. But he also admits almost shyly, that his nomination has opened up even more doors. "I think there's a new level of interest kind of thing but I haven't really acted on it, since the only thing I've really done since is this Todd Haynes film and The Joker."

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/ledger.php

Anonymous said...

"Heath may be great in TDK but the Oscar hype is hype and can only garner backlash. Already, haters are out on some message boards with favorite insults like druggie and slob. Some people really care about clothes. But the BBM-gay slurs are there, too. It never ends."

I don't think we should stop expressing our love and admiration because it may provoke hatred. Unfortunately those who will respond like that. I plan to continue to praise Heath and ignore them.

Anonymous said...

^there will always be those who will respond like that

Anonymous said...

There is an interesting thread on Datalounge with some good points about “how do closeted actors who are NOT homophobic rationalize their choice?”.

One of the posts:

"Sometimes it's about a young kid wanting to be a movie star, growing up known that you cannot be being openly gay a romantic leading man. It's just not going to happen. Jake wants to eb a movie star, not any actor, all these H'wood celebs don't give a flying fuck about artistic integrity. They want to be a movie star, and is a big named actor comes out, bam! offers are gone, he's called "fag" by frat boy retards in the street, most likely some anti-gay right wing group would picket his premiers.

For a man who all his life dreamt, about being on the silver screen, who hitched his way to LA, who worked ten dead-end jobs a day, while he walks from casting to casting, worried because he can't pay the rent, mostly likely gets evicted so he ends up sleeping in his whacked out car or on his friends floor. And then finally get there, finally his dream comes true, everything, all the shit he walked through, just to throw it away. Sorry but coming out isn't really an option.

Besides you think that straight stars live in a closet? It's a different closet, but they are there, pretending to the housewives and rednecks to be someone that they are not. You don't think Ben Affleck fucks every whore in sight, while he goes around acting happy families.

Please get real"

Anonymous said...

I think some people are starting to believe the slash about Jake and Heath. There's no reason to believe that they were anything more than just friends whose friendship most likely faded after the BBM promotion ended.

Anonymous said...

Jake seems to disagree with you.

Anonymous said...

There is an interesting thread on Datalounge with some good points about “how do closeted actors who are NOT homophobic rationalize their choice?”.

Another post:

"The executives are why so many stay closeted. Here is an anecdote from Tom Junod, who authored the infamous "Kevin Spacey Has a Secret":

"Here's an anecdote. In L.A. Confidential there's intimations that Kevin's character ... recognizes that he's homosexual. The film's director told me that after he cast Kevin, the executives said, "You know he's gay, don't you?" He answered, "Whether he is or isn't, it's good for the film, because he's playing a man with whom not all is as it seems."

Interesting that alleged sexuality mattered enough for them to bring it up with the director."

Anonymous said...

And just one more :)

"Well, I am actress and I supposed I am closeted. I've been acting in the West End since I was 3, and came out to my family and friends when I was 13. I was out for years when I was working in theatre in London (fringe, Edinburgh, rep, nothing big) and I did a lot of indie films, including a couple of gay-themed ones. I was nominated for an award at a glbt film festival once for playing a bullied gay teen. But I was never a celebrity at all and nobody really cared.

When I started working in TV and studio films a few years ago (I was about 19), I signed to a bigger agent, started spending time in LA, doing pr and generally embarked on a Career rather than just caring about acting and auditioning for and doing whatever came along. It became very clear being out would kill any chance I had. The first red carpet event I attended, I was shoved next to some boy bander and the photos were send around trying to make it look like we were dating, and I literally was just grabbed and shoved next to him for 30 seconds total, blinking. Several times I have lost jobs by people previously enthusiastic when they learned I was out. I had two meetings with a new agent who offered to rep me. I was bored one night and searched for her on MySpace and sent her a friend request because we got along so well, overnight she went from acting like my best friend to not taking my calls (this was while the paperwork was being drawn up, right before I was due to go in and sign). It has to be because my MS status says lesbian, because my profile is very anodyne and professional apart from that.

It was so dishearteding and I made a conscious choice last autumn to remove the mention of me being openly gay from my website and MS, and to use the "I don't talk about my personal life" in interviews. Since then I landed a 2nd lead in a sitcom and a supporting role in a big movie. I feel guilty, and I try to justify it by saying I'm not actively closeting (tons of people know I'm gay, I don't actively deny it, even my Wiki page still says openly gay, although there have been edit wars) but I really feel I have no choice, unless I'm prepared to only do tiny fringe plays and low budget indies that never get further than a film festival screening, if that, and I don't feel I'd be helping anyone being an Out nobody.

Fwiw, I do intend to come out if and when I become an established actor, or if I fail completely and have to go back to smalltime theatre. I know myself and I know I would&could do it (my parents laugh at that and say it's not courage, it's that I'm so bloody minded and pig headed about being told what do to), and I have no desire to be the next Reese Witherspoon. I'm a character actress (read: not model-like) anyway and I want a solid career that's primarily theatre. At this point I have a definite idea as to what level of success I want to come out at, I don't know if that will change, but it is important to me."

Anonymous said...

4:44 PM huh? During a dinner with fans, who won a dinner with Jake, he said he and Heath were very close friends.

Anonymous said...

"44 PM huh? During a dinner with fans, who won a dinner with Jake, he said he and Heath were very close friends"

Well of course if you believe him!

Anonymous said...

Well of course if you believe him!

Why would he lie about it? I believe him.

Anonymous said...

"we are best friends"

"we are very close"

totally wierd. no evidence at all.

Anonymous said...

Well of course if you believe him!

Whom should we believe - Jake or some fan? Easy choice.

Anonymous said...

You know what, I'm not sure what to believe about that report, but I find it very irritating when a fan *cough* babbler *cough* is trying very hard to persuade people they weren't friends. I guess that lunch report is only believable when it's convenient for the babblers - you know, the memorial attendance part. The rest is inconceivable, isn't it? Tsk, tsk, tsk.

I say if Jake lied about them being very close then maybe he lied about being at one of the LA memorials, hey?

Anonymous said...

^ Cause there's no evidence at all about him attending either LA memorial either.

Anonymous said...

I think Jake and Reese might be on their way to Marocco. I expect paparazzi pics soon.

Anonymous said...

ONE WEEK ONLY! AN INTERNET MINISERIES EVENT!

"Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" will be streamed right on Drhorrible.com, in mid-July. Specifically:

ACT ONE (Wheee!) will go up Tuesday July 15th.
ACT TWO (OMG!) will go up Thursday July 17th.
ACT THREE (Denouement!) will go up Saturday July 19th.

All acts will stay up until midnight Sunday July 20th. Then they will vanish into the night, like a phantom...

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Anonymous said...

P.S. Dr. Horrible is fun! I'm surprised, I didn't expect it to be that good.

Anonymous said...

^^
Reese Witherspoon At Neil George Salon
http://x17video.com/celebrity_video/reese_witherspoon/reese_witherspoon_at_neil_geor.php

Anonymous said...

She didn't follow him to Morocco? What will the Babblers think? They picked out a nice place for her to stay and everything.

Anonymous said...

Reese Witherspoon At Neil George Salon

Click here

Anonymous said...

As we could expect - the hard work for US Weekly was done with the fireworks photo op. So obvious.

Anonymous said...

They did pick out a place for her to stay in Morocco? I lurk there and i don't remember reading that. They were saying that she probably was on her way home to L.A. to drop the kids off with Ryan,looks like they were right.

They have been gone for over 3 weeks and he does have joint custody. I guess she missed her hair appoinments while in Europe that plus she needs a touch up for the photo ops in Morocco. I wonder how the paps are going to find them in all that sand??

Anonymous said...

They will say she had to bring the children to their father completely ignoring the fact that the kids were flown to London with a nanny because she left them in LA for a week while she had "alone" time with Jake.

It was essential to have this romantic interlude documented in US Weekly so that people would think they were a sexy hot couple who also were the perfect family.

Remember the line in the article that Jake was being tested. Could he be with a woman whose childen were "her everything".

Well if they were her everything would she leave them in LA and hava a nanny fly them in? It would be a little more believable if she paid attention to her son instead of completely delegating his care to someone else.

Anonymous said...

They have been gone for over 3 weeks ...

I don't think so, museum pictures are from July 8.

Anonymous said...

They were not gone for over three weeks. Today is the 19th. They got there after the Cipriani dinner most likely the 5th or
6th. She's been home at least a day.

Earlier posts on babbler central had several options for Reese's stay in Morocco.

Anonymous said...

That X17 video is from Friday.

Anonymous said...

Talking about her, arrived in London on 6/22, the video is from yesterday, 7/18. She has been in Europe for over three weeks. The kids were there almost 2 weeks. The kids must be exhausted plus I assume the agreement with Ryan was not to drag the kids all over the globe for the summer.

I would also assume she has things to take care of i L.A., Jake actually is filming a movie, in Morocco now for rehersals and shooting next week, he was on break in Paris and he was working/rehearsing in London.

How much you wanna bet she heads out to Morocco sometime next week?

Anonymous said...

I'll bet a million dollars she does not go to Morrocco at all.

Anonymous said...

Well, Reese isn't working, her kids probably prefer nanny to her and most certainly prefer Ryan to her, so Reese is free to be idle and shop wherever she pleases.

Anonymous said...

Ha! I bet she does, sans kids. The seed was planted in the UK press last week before they went to Paris. The story was they were in Paris for a vacation and that she was staying with Jake while he filmed scenes for Pop and that she would be spending time in the UK and LA, back and forth while filming and that she has plans to join him when he films in Morocco as well.

Come on, don't tell me you weren't surprised when she and the kids showed up? I knew there would be on set visit's but I have to admit I was surprised how quick it happened and also appears that she will return, probably at a new flat.

Her summer is free remember? Not right away, but eventually, mark my word.

Anonymous said...

She has to compete with Ryan who spent every other week in London while Abbie filmed Bright Star. He must have racked up some serious frequent flyer miles but he never went longer then a week without seeing her.

Anonymous said...

Go to Morocco? Did you see the way they were looking at each other. They can barely stand each other. Too bad too. At least they were friends at first.

Anonymous said...

They also planted the seed about whether or not the relationship would be able to survive their busy schedules that keep them apart. Maybe she won't be able to make it to Morocco because of the children and will just have to let Jake go. Or maybe it will be too confusing for the children to be bonding with Jake one minute just to have him disappear for months the next.

Anonymous said...

Seeds my ass and what busy schedules? Jake is working she isn't. The seed was mentioned in Us magazine where they also add that he moved into her home again, and that he is "100% committed" to her and the family. And don't let those fake photo ops fool you where they seem to be pissed at the paps or cool with each other, you must have mised the video from Sunday where they were obviously playing games with the paps and their sour pusses were replaced with giggling smirks in the cars.

Don't worry, they are still friends, just playing more games.
Ibet she just dropped the kids off, we will know soon enough if we continue to see pap pics of her in LA next week, if not you know where she is. Then after that it will be back in London in a new flat, mark my words. The Us cover is a perfect set uup for this week, it will be on the stands all week and by the next we will see more pap pics and spottings all the way from Morocco.

I got a google alert about them getting married on MV at he end of the summer, what's up with that???

Anonymous said...

he wont be gone for months, plans are according to sources a week of rehersals and then actual filming starts on July 22nd despite reports saying the 24th. Filming will continue fromthat point until the end of August with at least one break and there is no actors strike.

Rehersals were this past week. That's two weeks in July and the month of Aug. That's a little over six weeks, a month and a half.

He rehearsed and filmed for 3 weeks in the UK and then had the Paris break.

The production was supposed to be for about nine weeks: June 20th - Aug 31st= 9 weeks. He may have to return to the UK studio in the UK in Sept. to do some more green screen stuff.

I don't expect her to take the kids to Morocco or back to the UK, but you never know. I think Ryan will at least have them for a couple of weeks.

That schedule is actualy ideal and works for her since she isn't working and she has the fredom to drop the kids off with their father, the nanny or her parents.

Remember that Paris fireworks photo: you will be seeing it more, even some of the gossip blogs referred to them as family and one even said that Ava was his daughter, that was no accident.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Who the hell cares whether Reese goes to Morocco or wherever with the kids or not?? A fauxmance is a fauxman!

And to the posters who keep going on and on about Heath having great chemistry with Jake on & off screen, have you seen him with Jennifer Ainiston? Having chemistry alone with your co star does not mean there was a "relationship" between them.... you need to separate Jake & Heath who are HW actors from Jack & Ennis who are characters belonging to Annie P.

As for the LJ stuff with Ted & Lisa, you don't take what without a huge grain of salt do you? Or do you think Jake has never lied before? and let's not even mention the fauxmance eh?

Anonymous said...

fauxman = fauxmance

what = that

Anonymous said...

10:30PM, ITA. That whole lunch with Ted & Lisa was pre-arranged. Jake already knew what he would and would not discuss and what his answers would be. Those 2 are big fans, Jake would know that they would report every single moment on the internet for the world to know. Also, I thing that Jake's use to Reese is about done. Jake got his big money contract, Reese has proven to the frumpy housewives that she moved beyond being a poor divorced woman by finding the most perfect love with a sexy, younger man who adores her and her kids. But, now she can claim rebound and distance killed the romance and she can be free to do her own thing and find another perfect love.

Anonymous said...

10:30, please stop it! I do believe they were friends and that he went to the memorial. Why wouldn't he go to the memorial of a friend and former co-star? Makes no sense to me.
Regarding the chemistry thing, just because somone mentions their chemistry doesn't mean they imply something romantic with it. Jeez!

Anonymous said...

It was "no accident" that a blogger refered to Ava as Jake's daughter? How could that not be an accident? She's not his daughter. End of story.

Anonymous said...

What kind of love are you talking about?

pal, I was joking.

no, I wasn't.

ok, let's be serious. no matter what's said (I know someone, was told something, jake signed a statement saying-!) no one will believe it. and rightly so.

but if you want to hear something, this is it. there was true personal affection on heath's side. it was expressed to a mutual colleague, along with some self-criticism about being lousy at keeping up the connection.

that's it.

for what it's worth, this colleague, who doesn't know jake, said heath was not a great emailer but they got the impression that jake was.

so, sorry slashers, no evidence of torrid passion.

[throwing a bone] but who knows what goes on in the hearts of two men with chemistry. [stay calm, 10:30pm]

Anonymous said...

Funny how the Jake is straight crowd starts to melt down when their story is threatened. That pic with Jake caught checking out the cute guy ruined the perfect story. As usual Toothy cant help himself.

Anonymous said...

It's also amazing that the rabid Jake is straight and in total love with Reese crowd-IHJ fans-don't find it suspicious that Reeke goes to Paris, gets photographed for 3 days straight, and before they even leave Paris US magazine have an issue out on them. It's like the magazine had the story ready and was just waiting for the pics. If this doesn't tell them that Reeke arranges photo ops, don't know what will.

Anonymous said...

"I thing that Jake's use to Reese is about done. "

I really don't think!

Anonymous said...

"That pic with Jake caught checking out the cute guy ruined the perfect story. As usual Toothy cant help himself."


Really disapointing , closer you see he doesn't look at the guy at all but the "duck" by him.
For god sake she 's ridiculous dressed like that!

"I got a google alert about them getting married on MV at he end of the summer"

WHAT?????

Anonymous said...

"I got a google alert about them getting married on MV at he end of the summer"

Stupid, tiresome rumors. How many times have we heard this crap?
Take a leaf out of TDK, get some good projects (if you can, that is) and stop the crap in the tabloids that fools no one and only makes them more and more laugh worthy.

Anonymous said...

Reese is in LA, Jake ISN'T in Morocco yet and Austin's in Europe.

Anonymous said...

Jake ISN'T in Morocco yet

How do you know this?

Anonymous said...

even some of the gossip blogs referred to them as family and one even said that Ava was his daughter, that was no accident.


OK, that's to much. Ava is NOT Jake's daughter. She has a father. So does Deacon. Some people are pushing it too far.

Anonymous said...

hahahha.. so Ava was born when Jake was 19? before he did TDAT?! Some people are waaayyyyy beyond stupid! wonder if it's Reeke PR. heeheee...

Anonymous said...

The blogger was probably joking about Ava but Jared made a comment like Jake leads his family to the Eurostar, and Jared should know better but he said it and it wasn't an accident.

Jake arrived in Marrakesh on Tuesday, Emma Atherton, Alfred Molina and the actor who plays his side kick whose name i forgot was already there. They were in rehearsals this past week, Ben kingsley wil arrive next week for the actual filming. Reese is back in LA where she dropped the kids off, check up on things and will be heading to Morocco for a few weeks, this was all planned ahead of time.

They are actually filming away from Marrakeesh at some studio way off the map so if you see pap pics of them then you know they were set up.

Got this info from someone i=on imdb in the UK that is working on the film.

Anonymous said...

Whatever.. who cares? I'm going to see TDK. yay!

Anonymous said...

"Reese is back in LA where she dropped the kids off, check up on things and will be heading to Morocco for a few weeks, this was all planned ahead of time."

Wait, Reese the most perfect and caring mother is going to leave her kids for a 2-3 weeks and go off to be with her "boyfriend" in Morocco. How does her frumpy housewife fans view this? Will her PR arrange extra photo shoots to show her doing double the shopping trips and coffee runs because she's missing her kids so much when she's in Morrocco?

Anonymous said...

^^ me, too. Yay!

I am sick to death of the Jake-Reese show, and if he doesn't appear in something really worth seeing soon, that's IT.

Brothers better be good

Anonymous said...

I envy you guys. I have to wait another week to see TDK. :(

Anonymous said...

Brothers sounds like it may be good. But Nailed is straight to DVD if it ever sees the light of day. And, POP looks like by the time it's released it will have missed the moment of video games turned into movies. It'll be like The Golden Compass-expensive to make but die at the box office.

Anonymous said...

I disagree about nailed
I am curious about this strange movie.

Anonymous said...

I'm getting curious again now about Nailed too. With all the problems it had, it just turned me off to it - more of an emotional response than rational, I don't know why. Something about workers not being paid turns me off. ;) We'll see how they promote it. I still think PoP can be a really good blockbuster. :)

Anonymous said...

Tracy Morgan: Well, I play a guy that has an anal prolapse. And we're like a political version of The Wizard Of Oz. And I'm like the lion, and Jessica Biel is Dorothy, and Kurt Fuller is the Tin Man. And we just head off to the government to get health care for everybody. [Laughs.]

WTF? I'm looking forward to Nailed too.

Anonymous said...

"Got this info from someone i=on imdb in the UK that is working on the film"




Where in IMDB ?

Anonymous said...

Brother's Spy AKA Jack/Jeff troll why don't you stick to GB? You really don't need to monior everything that is said about Jake and Reese on the entire internet.

Anonymous said...

Anyone excited about the new Harvey Milk film. He was the first out gay supervisor in SF. If he could see what happening in today world. He was one of the true heroes of the gay movement.

Anonymous said...

Yes!

Sean Penn's transformation into Harvey Milk...

This is an image that appears in Vanity Fair of Sean Penn in character as Harvey Milk from the upcoming drama "Milk."

I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie, directed by Gus Van Sant and currently in post-production. The movie tells the story of California's first openly gay elected official - a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

The film is set for limited release in the U.S. on Nov. 26.

Sean Penn as Harvey Milk

Anonymous said...

Has TDK premiered in London yet? I wonder if Maggie is going to it? You would think that Jake would stay in London if she was heading there.

Anonymous said...

"The Dark Knight" London Film Premiere

Monday the 21st July 2008

Leicester Square

Anonymous said...

Michelle and Heath's best friend?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1036520/Like-family-Heath-Ledgers-ex-fiancee-daughter-lifelong-friend.html

Anonymous said...

Got this info from someone i=on imdb in the UK that is working on the film.

Didn't see that info on the PoP IMDb board. Link please.

Anonymous said...

Reese is such a shitty mother. First she uses her kids for her oscar campaign, then she talks about how awesome bullying is and now she uses them for the fauxmance and then dumps them for weeks when they are not needed for PR purposes. Mommie Dearest, anyone?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Michelle and Heath's best friend?

That Trevor, Michelle and Matilda picture is from June 26.

Anonymous said...

Why would he lie about it? I believe him.

Just like the babblers believe he's in love with Reese.

Jake plays to everyone he has to play to.

Anonymous said...

Trevor is Heath's best friend, of course he's spending time with his daughter.

Anonymous said...

If Jake said "yes i'm gay" the gossip would probably die. He would be able to "live his life". Similar to Ellen Degeneras. He would become an idol to gay people everywhere. Look at TK Knight and Neil Patrick Harris.

Anonymous said...

Life isn't that simple, read ^^^ "how do closeted actors who are NOT homophobic rationalize their choice" DL comments.

Anonymous said...

11.40 please don't be naive, if he were gay he'd NEVER come out, he wants to be a Hollywood leading man. How many openly gay Hollywood leading men do we have again?

Anonymous said...

I thought it read like Jack troll too. Emma, indeed. Is Gemma so difficult?

Anonymous said...

Ryan and his kids yesterday in LA: http://www.celebritybabyscoop.com/?p=11413

Anonymous said...

"Michelle and Heath's best friend?"

From New Idea, reliable source:

"It was almost like Heath had a premonition of his death,' the source explains.
'When he broke up with Michelle last year and was supposedly having problems with substance abuse, Heath turned to Trevor for support, as he had many times before.
'It was during that period he made Trevor vow to watch over Matilda if something happened to him.' Trevor and Heath have been mates since they were three.


Jake was pushed out of the picture by Trevor! This explains everything.

While taking over the role of father figure to Matilda in recent months, Trevor's also become a good friend to her beautiful mother, leading to rumours in Hollywood they have secretly become a couple, easing her heartbreak.
But the source says: 'At this stage they're not an item. However, he's been a comfortable shoulder for Michelle to lean on during this traumatic period.
'Nobody would be surprised if they ended up together.
'And if they do, nobody would be happier than Heath in heaven. He would want little Matilda to grow up in a loving family.'


So this is why Jake never went to see Matilda or Michelle.

Anonymous said...

"So this is why Jake never went to see Matilda or Michelle."

Oh please, so Jake didn't pay his respects to family, ex-fiance and daughter his former colleague and friend because he was pouting like a 5yr about Heath trusting his lifelong best friend. That makes Jake looks as bad as the Star's pussy whipped story about him. If Jake didn't pay his respects, he didn't, but I don't think because he was pouting about being "pushed out by Trevor".

Anonymous said...

Maybe, just, maybe, Jake felt bad when Heath asked someone else to watch over Matilda if something happened to him.

I used to have a good friend, a girl who I was getting on with really well, we were really close. Four years ago she had a baby, a boy, and I secretly hoped she would choose me as a godmother. However, she didn't. She chose someone else. I felt jealous, could't really rationalize my feelings. Go figure but it hurts.

Anonymous said...

"If Jake said "yes i'm gay" the gossip would probably die. He would be able to "live his life". Similar to Ellen Degeneras. He would become an idol to gay people everywhere. Look at TK Knight and Neil Patrick Harris."


There is something really tragic in all of that , specially if this guy isn't what i think he is.


Sometimes i wonder if i don't run after something doesn't exist. It's not even funny anymore, that makes me sad.

Anonymous said...

Sunday Mirror, another reliable source (sarcasm):

Batman star Heath Ledger's heartbroken ex goes into hiding

Film critics have hailed [TDK] as his finest performance ever - but it has left his devastated ex, actress Michelle Williams, reeling as she attempts to rebuild her life.
...
Michelle has surrounded herself with close friends, including actress neighbour Maggie Gyllenhaal and her brother Jake, who is Matilda's godfather. She has also spent a lot of time with Matilda's godmother, her Dawson's Creek pal Busy Philipps. And a few weeks ago, Heath's oldest friend Trevor DiCarlo flew in from Australia to spend time with her and Matilda. But as the Dark Knight hype began, Michelle told friends she couldn't simply stand the pressure any more.


I do feel very sorry for Michelle. She will never really get over Heath. But no way is she surrounding herself with Maggie and Jake,

Ledger's heartbroken ex

Anonymous said...

I finally read the "Ted and Lisa" account of dinning with Jake.

My impression is that Jake has difficulty concentrating on simple questions. Like he was dumb or something. I wish he would go back to university, his mind is turning within a void.

Secondly, when they asked about Heath, there was a lot of emotion in their story, but almost all of it seemed to come from T and L, not from Jake.

Anonymous said...

Maybe, just, maybe, Jake felt bad when Heath asked someone else to watch over Matilda if something happened to him."

Maybe Heath realized WHO he could count on and who he couldn't. Even though I have NO idea WHY he made Jake Matilda's godfather (I think I read this was Michelle's idea), I do think he was very smart to ask his best mate to look after Matilda in case anything happened to him. Yeah!

Anonymous said...

Maggie lives near her in Brooklyn so I think it's very conceivable she has seen Michelle.

Jake, on the other hand...please!

Anonymous said...

There is something really tragic in all of that , specially if this guy isn't what i think he is.

What's tragic?

Anonymous said...

12:46 PM Babbler go away!

Maybe, just, maybe, Jake felt bad when Heath asked someone else to watch over Matilda if something happened to him.

Give me a break!

Anonymous said...

Jake was pushed out of the picture by Trevor! This explains everything.
...
So this is why Jake never went to see Matilda or Michelle.


Come on, no one can be that stupid. LOL

Anonymous said...

Zoomer, but Heath chose Jake not Trevor to be the Godfather.

Anonymous said...

1:07 Jake hasn't been in NY for months and Maggie won't even be bothered to talk about Heath like the rest of his TDK co-stars, she's just too "heartbroken". Yeah, right!

Anonymous said...

"But no way is she surrounding herself with Maggie and Jake,"

And you know that how?
What's the matter with you guys wanting to distance Jake from Heath?

Anonymous said...

1:11 You can't reason with a babbler. They want to put Jake's actions on Heath now.

Anonymous said...

Jake hasn't been in NY for months ...

We don't know that.

Anonymous said...

What's the matter with you guys wanting to distance Jake from Heath?

I'm sorry to say this but everything he did since Heath's death points to the fact that he wants that himself.

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