Ledger Fans Demand That The Joker Retires

They have a petition. They must mean business.

By Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero | Feb. 12, 2009

Are You Serious?

A group of die hard Heath Ledger fans are demanding that the Joker be retired from all movies permanently. How about that?

CNN reported about the website, The Ultimate Joker, that has started a petition to prevent the Joker from ever appearing in another movie.

"We think Heath deserves this honor," the site's team leader, Fer Barbella told CNN over the phone from Buenos Aires. "He is the ultimate Joker. We are Batman fans from the comics and from the movies. After we saw 'The Dark Knight' we thought this Joker was really the best. It deserves to be withdrawn from any Batman sequels."

They also compare it to the retiring of Michael Jordan's #23 jersey after he retired from the Chicago Bulls. When they have 50,000 names, they plan on approaching Warner Bros. (they currently have 4461 supporters).

We already discussed here whether or not someone else could fill the Joker's shoes. Yes, Ledger was great. I think the idea of the Joker never appearing in another movie is over the top. I just don't see it happening. If Warner Bros. can find the right person and make money, there's no way they wouldn't use the Joker. 50,000 is a lot of people but how many people saw the movie? How many would see another movie eventually with the Joker? It's tragic what happened but as they say, the show must go on.

And why stop at movies? What about cartoons and video games. Maybe we shouldn't see him in comics either because it'd be a reminder.

94 Comments

The_Martianon Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:03 p.m.

He was a good actor, but to ban the Joker from ever appearing in another batman movie is crazy! I mean eventually they will reboot the series in 10 or so years after this one ends and are they just going to leave the Joker out of it?

inferiorego staff on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:05 p.m.

These people have stated on their website, and I quote, "Heath Ledger is the best Joker ever". Yes, it is an opinion, but the best Joker ever? First of all, we're forgetting Mark Hamill, which in my opinion is overall a better Joker. Anyway, they want no one else to have a shot at the roll... EVER? How do we now he is the BEST EVER, if no one else gets a shot? what a bunch of crybabies. Yeah, it was sad that he died, but don't try and get all high and mighty on WB because your sad, pathetic hearts were broken by some man whom you've never met. I'm willing to guess, a pretty good guess I might add, that not a single person who actually knew Ledger signed that stupid petition. That website makes me sick.... point blank

G-Man said:

And why stop at movies? What about cartoons and video games. Maybe we shouldn't see him in comics either because it'd be a reminder.

It's sad that there are people who really feel like that. I'm sure there are some on that site.

Vance Astro moderator on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:07 p.m.

Ledger has fans? I wonder if his performance wouldn't have been so blown out of proportion if he had actually lived to see the movie play out? It seems like people always blow someone's worth in their profession out of proportion when they are no longer alive (ahem Tupac & Biggie ahem).I saw the Dark Knight and honestly it wasn't that good.People act as if Ledger played Joker better than any part has ever been played ever.His performance wasn't that good and THAT movie wasn't THAT good as a whole.It is arguably the best Superhero movie of all time...but compared to the competition...that's not saying alot.To retire the Joker with Ledger would be absolutely ridiculous.

Nighthunteron Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:23 p.m.

I think that the Joker shouldn't appear in the Nolan franchise again because of the lack of Ledger, that being said claiming for Joker of all the villains to retire of any future movie is ridiculous, there will be future franchises and there will be new Batmans, why not a new Joker?

The_Martianon Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.

Nighthunter said:

"I think that the Joker shouldn't appear in the Nolan franchise again because of the lack of Ledger, that being said claiming for Joker of all the villains to retire of any future movie is ridiculous, there will be future franchises and there will be new Batmans, why not a new Joker?"

Agreed.

Erik is online on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.

I do not have a problem with the Joker coming back in any Batman franchise. Even in Nolan's series. They replaced Katie Holmes. Why not the Joker? I thought Ledger did a wonderful job and I would have loved it if he was alive to reprise the role but he is not. The Joker is a wonderful villain and should not be missed out on simply because an actor died. They didn't refuse to make anymore Superman movies when Christopher Reeve died or even when he broke his neck. Someone out there could do just as good a job doing the Joker as Ledger. In fact, I am convinced someone out there could do a better job.

Vance Astro moderator on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.

erik said:

"I do not have a problem with the Joker coming back in any Batman franchise. Even in Nolan's series. They replaced Katie Holmes. Why not the Joker? I thought Ledger did a wonderful job and I would have loved it if he was alive to reprise the role but he is not. The Joker is a wonderful villain and should not be missed out on simply because an actor died. They didn't refuse to make anymore Superman movies when Christopher Reeve died or even when he broke his neck. Someone out there could do just as good a job doing the Joker as Ledger. In fact, I am convinced someone out there could do a better job."

If DC decided not to make any more Superman movies because of Reeves I would have been pissed.Reeve's is a horrible actor.

King Saturnon Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:55 p.m.

I thought they werent going to use The Joker again in Nolan's Batman franchise ?

Erik is online on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:57 p.m.

Vance Astro said:

"erik said:
"I do not have a problem with the Joker coming back in any Batman franchise. Even in Nolan's series. They replaced Katie Holmes. Why not the Joker? I thought Ledger did a wonderful job and I would have loved it if he was alive to reprise the role but he is not. The Joker is a wonderful villain and should not be missed out on simply because an actor died. They didn't refuse to make anymore Superman movies when Christopher Reeve died or even when he broke his neck. Someone out there could do just as good a job doing the Joker as Ledger. In fact, I am convinced someone out there could do a better job."
If DC decided not to make any more Superman movies because of Reeves I would have been pissed.Reeve's is a horrible actor."

Wow. That was daring. I always felt like he was not the greatest either. Especially when you watch his non-Superman movies. They are just so-so. I usually do not say it though because all the Reeve fans will swarm lol.

Erik is online on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:59 p.m.

King Saturn said:

"I thought they werent going to use The Joker again in Nolan's Batman franchise ?
"

I do not think Nolan has any intentions to do it. But I do not think it should be because of Ledger. If he does not use Joker, that is fine. But I hope he wont because he wants to do other things, not because of Ledger's death.

Vance Astro moderator on Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:59 p.m.

erik said:

"Vance Astro said:
"erik said:
"I do not have a problem with the Joker coming back in any Batman franchise. Even in Nolan's series. They replaced Katie Holmes. Why not the Joker? I thought Ledger did a wonderful job and I would have loved it if he was alive to reprise the role but he is not. The Joker is a wonderful villain and should not be missed out on simply because an actor died. They didn't refuse to make anymore Superman movies when Christopher Reeve died or even when he broke his neck. Someone out there could do just as good a job doing the Joker as Ledger. In fact, I am convinced someone out there could do a better job."
If DC decided not to make any more Superman movies because of Reeves I would have been pissed.Reeve's is a horrible actor."
Wow. That was daring. I always felt like he was not the greatest either. Especially when you watch his non-Superman movies. They are just so-so. I usually do not say it though because all the Reeve fans will swarm lol."

He definitely had the look down...but the dialogue made me want to spit up.

Hawkon Feb. 12, 2009 at 1:10 p.m.

This is just stupid. Yes Heath did a great job, yes it was super unexpected and it is tragic that he died......but he is NOT the joker. It was a part he played. If Christian Bale died would we cry no more Batman. Chris Reeves is dead......but yet Superman goes on. Gene Wilder IS the best Willy Wonka ever yet we let Johnny Deep have a shot.

So they are telling me that if Johnny "Creepy ass" Deep wanted to play the Joker....they wouldn't be for that? Heath has had two good roles in his whole career, I don't see them saying no one else should play a gay cowboy.

Decept-Oon Feb. 12, 2009 at 1:16 p.m.

Much ado about nothing. You can't have Peanut Butter without the Jelly, and until Warner Bros./DC decides otherwise, you can't have Batman without the Joker.

inferiorego staff on Feb. 12, 2009 at 1:17 p.m.

Decept-O said:

"Much ado about nothing. You can't have Peanut Butter without the Jelly, and until Warner Bros./DC decides otherwise, you can't have Batman without the Joker. "

Well put

Sovereign Sonon Feb. 12, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.

Hawk said:

"This is just stupid. Yes Heath did a great job, yes it was super unexpected and it is tragic that he died......but he is NOT the joker. It was a part he played. If Christian Bale died would we cry no more Batman. Chris Reeves is dead......but yet Superman goes on. Gene Wilder IS the best Willy Wonka ever yet we let Johnny Deep have a shot.

So they are telling me that if Johnny "Creepy ass" Deep wanted to play the Joker....they wouldn't be for that? Heath has had two good roles in his whole career, I don't see them saying no one else should play a gay cowboy. "

Could not have said it better!

Hawkon Feb. 12, 2009 at 1:43 p.m.

Sovereign Son said:

"Hawk said:
"This is just stupid. Yes Heath did a great job, yes it was super unexpected and it is tragic that he died......but he is NOT the joker. It was a part he played. If Christian Bale died would we cry no more Batman. Chris Reeves is dead......but yet Superman goes on. Gene Wilder IS the best Willy Wonka ever yet we let Johnny Deep have a shot.

So they are telling me that if Johnny "Creepy ass" Deep wanted to play the Joker....they wouldn't be for that? Heath has had two good roles in his whole career, I don't see them saying no one else should play a gay cowboy. "
Could not have said it better!"

Well of course YOU couldn't LMAO

Slingeron Feb. 12, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.

Decept-O said:

"Much ado about nothing. You can't have Peanut Butter without the Jelly, and until Warner Bros./DC decides otherwise, you can't have Batman without the Joker. "

What about Reese's Cups?

.Mistress Redhead. is online on Feb. 12, 2009 at 3:37 p.m.

Sovereign Son said:

"Hawk said:
"This is just stupid. Yes Heath did a great job, yes it was super unexpected and it is tragic that he died......but he is NOT the joker. It was a part he played. If Christian Bale died would we cry no more Batman. Chris Reeves is dead......but yet Superman goes on. Gene Wilder IS the best Willy Wonka ever yet we let Johnny Deep have a shot.

So they are telling me that if Johnny "Creepy ass" Deep wanted to play the Joker....they wouldn't be for that? Heath has had two good roles in his whole career, I don't see them saying no one else should play a gay cowboy. "
Could not have said it better!"

I third that notion... in fact im slightly creeped out that thats exactly what i was going to say....

Fans kill it sometimes they really do... and since when do fans have any power of studios? anyone else wondering where their vote towards Firefly coming back on tv went?....

Crimson Orchidon Feb. 12, 2009 at 3:50 p.m.

I don't think Joker should be retired from movies forever, but for the rest of this movie series with this cast, I think it would be best. I really doubt Ledger's performance could be topped.

reaper2923on Feb. 12, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.

i think they should stop pretending, i mean i bet they never even knew batman was a comic character until they say that movie. Yes the movie was good, but it wasn't only heath ledger. Also did they even read comics before that movie came out, i bet the answer is no. They are just macking up stupid crap.

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