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Here's an interesting rumor about what Gilliam might do with THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. With Heath Ledger's surprising and tragic death (a heart attack they're saying now) came talk of Terry Gilliam's curse. Ledger had shot a good amount of his work on Gilliam's new movie, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS. There have been rumors that Johnny Depp was going to step in for Ledger, but I thought that didn't make much sense since Depp is committed to so many projects, including PUBLIC ENEMIES with Michael Mann.
Now comes a heads up from "Jerome" who points me to an IMDB message board thread where someone claims to know how they're handling Ledger's death and the transformation into different actors.
Now, it's not exactly trustworthy... anyone can post what they want on IMDB, but this feels right to me and it feels like something that could have been heard from the Costume Designer. She'd be one of the first to know so she can get wardrobe prepared.
The rumor is that at certain points during the film the main character, which was played by Ledger, fell through magic mirrors and, I would assume, into different realities or fantasy lands. The word is that each time this happens (3 or 4 times in the movie) the character will be played by a different actor and Depp would be one of those actors (which makes sense why he can fit this into his schedule), the other two being actors just as well known as Depp.
This sounds to me like a great way for the community to pay tribute to Ledger's final performance. I hope it is true. I have a few strings of my own I can pull to find out some info on the goings on up there, so I will do my best to clarify this for you in the coming weeks.
Thoughts?
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+ Expand All
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IDK...maybe...?
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the idea isn't terrible, but i just want to see Gilliam's project and Ledger's final performance.
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http://tinyurl.com/2q9j9y
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Lets hope this happens.
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I still cringe when watching Lost In La Mancha. The crazy bastard keeps getting shat on.
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I am the greatest first talkbacker ever!!!! Well, probably not. Maybe just for today. Anyway, Quint you're spot on- sounds like the way to go in terms of handling his absence. Could be really interesting with Depp, and anyone else they choose to carry on the performance.
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YES! I think using iconic leading men who have worked with Terry before, like jonathan pryce, Benicio del Toro, Matt Damon, etc would be rather a smashingly brilliant homage to Ledger. Rock on!
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a detah like this has an effect on the entire movie. 4 differnet actors in the same role? you're inevitably oging to do comparisons. who whats to be compared to heath? better to recast completely methinks
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I like the idea of The Dark Knight being his last performance. Makes it that much more profound, but if this happens then it leaves The Dark Knight more open for recasting. Plus this just sounds like a cool idea, I mean if Gilliam already filmed all the scenes of Heath falling into these mirror.
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You're lucky I've got a sense of humor. I hate that fucking song!
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Jan 27, 2008 2:14:16 PM CST
I wonder who will play Ledger's nubile young assistant
by seppukudkurosawa
This is going to be a new Dr. Who movie, right? What with all the regenerations and all.
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Then again, it could be dangerous. What if the Gilliam Curse takes Johnny Depp too... No! Noooo!
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Oh man I can't believe I didn't say this above. Jake Gyllenhaal would be so right for even a slight bit of participation in this. Guess he really is shaken by Ledger's passing by all accounts, and no that's not a Brokeback reference.
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Agree with Mukhtabi, previous Gilliam leading men is the way to go. Gillian + Pryce = movie heaven for me.
This sounds like a good way to save the film and Ledger's performance. -
Sneaky bastard.
As for Imaginarium, it could be an interesting twist. That is, of course, largely dependent upon which actors they get to come in to accomplish this task. Depp is a good start. Call me crazy, but I'd like to see another character actor like Gary Oldman in there. -
It would be a real shame to throw away the final footage of one of the best actors of his generation. Hopefully he shot everything but the magic mirror sequences so it will be easier for Ledger to play the "real world" version of the character and seem natural for other actors to step into the magic mirror versions. I just read an interview with Christopher Plummer in which he said they were going to Vancouver to shoot the green screen stuff, so that bodes pretty well if the location stuff was mostly finished. God speed to Gilliam on this one. I remember Brothers Grimm was the first film Is aw Ledger in where I thought, wow this guy really gets it. He was easily the best thing about that film.
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Otherwise he'd be in trouble.
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So sad.
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this could work.
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And it makes perfect sense.
In the script, there are several scenes which take place "in" the Imaginarium, which takes us into a dreamscape inside the mind of the person who passes into the Imaginarium. Okay - that's a bad explanation. But I tried.
Gilliam is almost boundlessly creative and he's going to pull this off with great skill and style. -
Though The Dark Knight may well be a great swansong, it would be a shame not to see Ledger's work (and lord knows we need more Gilliam in our theatres); personally I could really see this happening and my guess is that 'the star fraternity' so to speak will be eager to lend a hand to get this thing finished...if Depp is going to be one of them, then my guess is we'll see two stars of equal status there as well. I sincerely hope Gilliam can pull this off and it doesn't come out looking like the movie equivalent of all the songs that Tupac released after his death.
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is thinking outside of the box. Great idea. Too bad it came from a fucking IMDB message board. You know what I read on an IMDB message board? I read that Cesar Romero was considering playing the Joker again now that Heath has passed. Yeah. Cesar "I've-been-dead-for-fifteen-years-but-even-if-I-was-alive-a-statement-like-that-would-still-be-crazy-talk" Romero.
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I thought to myself that they could probably get away with changing Ledger's character's appearance if they wanted to go that route... I guess they might be!
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his performance without a recast, they probably should. A CGI or stand-in recast I always felt was kinda cold - like the producers just wanted to release the film no matter what. This way would seem more tribute-y to me. I remember when River Pheniox died, he had just been cast in An Interview with a Vampire and never filmed a bit of it but they still had the "For River" credit at the end.˙
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Heath is Lugosi and Depp is the dentist with the cape
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matt damon seems like a no-brainer. as for the third, jake gyllenhaal seems like a good choice, but i can't decide if that would be too "wink-wink" or a touching tribute.
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the truth is not out there on imdb
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I mean Ledger was committed to this role and was happy to go thru with it, so why not finish the work he wanted to do?!! Way to go guys for a nice tribute to a man who died to young.I would even hope that Depp and the other actors would be kind enough to give their salaries to Ledger's daughter's fund or charities or Heart Foundations... They don't need the money, give it in a way to pay tribute.
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which it prob isn't, i hope the studio has the balls to put this together and release it.
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..they've already shot the end of the movie. If they haven't then it'd suck to have it end as his final film and a tribute without having him in the final scenes.
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What's up with them posting this?
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I heard Jack Nicholson will replace Leder since he replaced him in the Batman series! That's a fact, I work in the industry.
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http://www.darkhorizons.com/news08/0801 25g.php
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It's from a TMZ story. They say early word from his toxicology report/autopsy show that he didn't have enough drugs in his system to kill him. And if I remember correctly the original pronouncement was cardiac arrest. I honestly don't care... no matter which way he died he's gone now. If it's natural causes (from stress and his chronic insomnia) then that only takes the dark drug cloud away from his death. That's a good thing, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter.
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It's called a rumor. Stranger things have happened. This sounds plausible and if it isn't, maybe the word of it going around might actually get the production back up. Where's the harm?
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I would recommend that Brad Pitt take on a part, and either Jake Gyllenhaal or Matt Damon. Pitt makes perfect sense because Gilliam has worked with him and brought out the best performance of his career in 12 Monkeys. Damon falls into the worked with category as well as a great actor, and Gyllenhaal could sub in for his friend, as a tribute to him. Thoughts?
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...gracefully and credibly, it sounds like a very inventive way of salvaging this film, one that might even enhance it.
A couple of Ledger's films popped up on cable in this week following his death, and made me realize that I'd love to see his true last performance, especially in a Gilliam film. He was such a wonderful actor. -
sneaky jerk
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Id heard it would just be Depp, but if it was Depp PLUS 2 or 3 other actors that would be AMAZING....I hope this winds up being true! :D
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I always did think he looks like Heath Ledger.
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Now get Depp to sign on for the Joker in Batman 3. What? Too soon? Seriously though, he's the only possible choice - the only one who's chameleonic enough to take on the role, the only one who looks right, and the only one with enough goodwill stored up to be acceptable.
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sounds pretty Gilliam to me.
I can live with that -
Here's hopin'!
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CGI their asses from beyond the grave. This flick becomes a triple-tribute.
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I hope this thing pulls through somehow. I've loved Gilliam's movies since before I even knew who he was (Time Bandits on HBO when I was but a wee lad), and I just get sad every time I hear of 'The Curse' ... or think of Brothers Grimm (I'm sorry, but it just fell flat). Man Of LaMancha was a great doc, but sad in it's own way and whenever I see that scene with Depp & the fish I feel like it couldve been a great movie. Anyway, I hope they manage to pull through this and IF Depp were to join in any capacity, I'm sure that would help investors to feel a bit more confidet despite the loss of Ledger.
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i read somewhere (iesb i think) that supposedly the Joker was only to have a small part in the third Batman movie, and would aid in the search for Two Face (think Hannibal Lecter). the speculation is that this would essentially be a cameo and they could have him in the shadows for that scene. no idea if there is any credibility to this rumor at all, but it sounds like it could work to me, so i hope it's true. Nolan has said from the beginning that he didn't plan to kill the Joker in The Dark Knight, so this seems like the best possible scenario to me (well, the best would be Ledger still alive but you know what i mean)
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If its worked into the script in a surreal and clever way, as it sounds like it might, in keeping with Gilliam's typical film styles, as long as they don't pull a "Game of Death" style look-a-like to take Ledger's place.
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Kinda like Todd Solondz's "Palindromes"
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Hey, it's an idea that has worked for forty sum years, so why not steal from it? Just as long as one of Parnassus's regenerations isn't Tom Cruise because that would cause Xenu to declare war on the remnants of Time Lord society, and while Xenu and the Sea Org ain't worthy of being used to wipe Rassilon's bum and would be a quick mop-up in terms of an intergalactic war, it would still be ugly like Sandra Bernhardt is.
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He looks just like Ledger anyway. Also, I very much doubt the autopsy reports are back yet and TMZ knows anything.
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in a gilliam movie? really? you think so? i wonder what "tideland's" BO was. I'm betting "imaginarium" will be closer to "tideland" than to "grimm".
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Anybody else see the fuckin Joker ad on the right side, haunting this place? I always thought that was a great, creepy poster but now it's ten times creepier. You look at it and you think about the tragedy of Heath Ledger but then it's not Heath Ledger, it's the fuckin Joker taunting you for being "so serious." Same thing happened to me coming out of RAMBO and seeing that poster, now he's haunting the google words ads too. Spooky.
I hope they do figure out something like this to finish the movie. That poor bastard Gilliam loses a close friend AND has the worst ever luck for making movies. -
Is all.
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Although I guess they're kinda up against a wall here.
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...that they could use to retain as much of Ledger's performance would be a plus. I'm sure it'll be one that deserves to be seen, and he sure deserves the tribute.
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Quint, do some homework. IGN reported this story Friday afternoon, and the source is the British newspaper The Sun.
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Insurance companies that insure movies against any and all mishaps have nightmares about the lead actor dying in the middle of production. So they are going to be all in favor of this stunt. Can you imagine if Harrison Ford died in the middle of Indy 4? How would they get around that? Let Shia be the hero? Bring in Tom Selleck and hope nobody misses Harrison? Ledger no doubt passed his physical exam but I bet the doctor who examined him has a report on file mentioning the problems with Heath's health. Whatever killed him had to be known about before production started on this. I smell a cover-up somewhere. If he died of a heart attack then there are medical records regarding this.
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Heart attack would've been obvious in the autopsy. Autopsy didn't determine a cause of death, so waiting for the toxicology screen to come back.
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...because I'm an idiot. Seriously though, this would be a creative way to solve a daunting problem, and save Ledger's final performance on film, so whoever came up with it and whatever the truth, of lack of, behind it, it's a damn good idea all the same. One would imagine though that it would take considerable rewriting to make this work, as I very much doubt they shot Ledger's scenes in any sort of continuity, so working around that problem would no doubt be a challenge...Oh, and ten-to-one if this happens then Christian Bale will be one of the other two actors cast as the now metamorphosing clown.
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quint - not to be a poo, but as a costume designer i can tell you he/she would under no circumstances know anything about anything. on LOTR ngila said the entire costume department waited around until like 2 weeks before shooting before learning about actors and characters, and then they had to basically ham-and-egg some of the most iconic costumes that ended up in the films.doesn't everybody die of a heart attack? sooner or later your heart stops beating.
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..right! Its the opening scene in TDK..before the credits roll
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I guess that would work. It's one way to preserve Heath's performance, anyway.
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The theatre chain I work for sent a mass e-mail asking us to take down the Joker "Why So Serious" one sheets for the time being. I agree, it's just kind of creepy.
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Well, really, it's not so bad. I mean, they've got a completely different actor playing Rachel Dawes (and we're all grateful for that, because Katie Holmes has the screen presence of a weatherman) and they could do the same with the Joker.
He could physically alter his appearance on purpose-- That would fit in with his character-- and his psychosis could explain any difference in behavior. They could easily re-cast and continue with the Batman-Joker rivalry.
Now here's the real question: If Ledger's Joker sucks, will anybody have the guts to say so out loud? -
What a shitty title
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he'd do it. The dude loved Heath Ledger and with the makeup it doesn't matter the age. i just think it'd be a great tribute, an actor like Day-Lewis playing The Joker.
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PRICK.
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What's new in the imdb stuff is that the guy is talking about several actors replacing Ledger, and not just Depp... And he's quoting names of people involved in the film as sources... I know it isn't much but I want to believe.
I wonder if the system of the character being transformed by passing through the mirror will be used for other characters in the film... That could be more "logical". -
And hopefully we see some more Gilliam soon. Hell, I was watching Fear & Loathing, Twelve Monkeys and Brazil a few days ago back to back and I want to see more of that! Would make sense to finish the movie in that way. I hope it won't be an internet rumor only...
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Err... Hope it comes off though. David Lynch swapped leads half way through "LOST HIGHWAY" and that worked out fine. I still don't understand what happened but I loved it
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It never seems to make any sense.
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about some fantasy movie. It says that Crispin Glover has just been cast as Braniac in the new Superman movie. I have absolutely no proof, but it felt right while I was shitting. Maybe you'd better give this rumor a thread too?
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That sounds awesome, especially if each actor based their performance off of Ledger, then it would be the ultimate tribute.
I love it, I just hope they can pull that off. -
Jan 28, 2008 4:34:16 AM CST
Sounds like the worst idea since basing a news story on an imdb
by gimpinmypants
Terry Gilliam either has to reshoot or he's fucked.
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That's the terrance malick film Tree of Life.
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Seriously, the guy made 1 or 2 good movies 20 years ago. I think it's funny that people still pretend to get excited at any news about new Gilliam product. I mean, Tideland? Brothers Grimm? Shudder.
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Don't let the rest of Hollywood know, they'll blacklist you. Of course it's Gilliam, so would we expect any less. I don't love all his movies, only seen a few, some are just not my style. But, the ones that are blow me away.
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I sincerely hope this works. They could get three actors of very different ages and looks but have all of them resembling Heath's performance. Kinda like in "Im not There"
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I mean, if most of Ledger's performance has been filmed already, maybe it could be possible to superimpose Ledger's face on another actor with the aid of CG...
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I don't know much about this story, but it sounds pretty intriguing.
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if he read a story in a newspaper about some random guy just passing away in his sleep mysteriously at the age of 28 and leaving behind a 2 year old daughter. I bet Mr Ledger would read that and think, "wow thats a real shame. Im so sorry for his little girl." Sure, he'd then probably move on with his life and not think about it again - but to say that he wouldn't care. That makes you a ten ton ass, Mr. "I am Batman"
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Depp, Matt Damon, and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, i think those are thre right three to choose, because of their talent and history with Ledger and or Gilliam. it just seems right.
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Maybe the little time bandits can steal that map from God again and save this movie.
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Salvage the movie, and pay tribute at the same time. Christian Bale and Jake Gyllenhaal would be good choices too, imo.
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Sounds better than just a cheap fix of crappy looking CG ala Brandon Lee and Oliver Reed.
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which has never been explained. Something to do with Larry Williams was some sort of go between Heath and his partner Michelle, larry's daughter. He went to visit Heath in australia and was called back to NYC for some reason and when he tried to get back in to australia and was refused entry. It is never been ascertained as to why. Maybe Heath was hiding his drug taking and he was using Larry as a courier. Michelle Found out. She ended thier affair. and he was having an affair with someone who could get him drugs. Mary kate is an innocent in all this and they are going to go after Diana the Massuese.
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Studios run amile from him.
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AND I LOVE IT!!!
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that's a really cool way to look at it. I think this idea could work and would be a fantastic way to honor Ledger. If it works for Bob Dylan, why not Heath Ledger? Is Cate Blanchett available?
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...they could CGI Ledger in combined with the use of some old shots and have a voice actor read his lines. This is what they did in Gladiator when Oliver Reed died. The technique was quite a success, I didn't realize what they did until my fourth viewing of the movie. It would be a nice tribute to him to by giving the audience the illusion that Ledger is still with us.
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Jan 28, 2008 4:55:53 PM CST
Maybe they can get Chevy Chase & Delores Hope to play Heath's pa
by lawguy
Ha, made you laugh. Although Gilliam does like surrealistic humour, so it could work.
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will jump at the last chance they'll ever have to share the screen with Ledger, even if it is posthumously. Was going to make a joke involving 2 shovels and a flashlight but figured it would be in bad taste.
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This 2008, not 2208....sorry but you guys are either 12 years old or fucking idiots.
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Jan 29, 2008 12:52:00 AM CST
Christopher Plummer says Terry wants to go on with the movie !
by milou
I think that it's the first official comment (from someone of the crew) saying that Terry Gilliam is trying to save the film and go on with the shooting... But Plummer says they will try to "turn Heath in other people and then use stills and CGI"... Check it there :
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20174404,00.html -
sorry to piss on your parade ppls but someone had to say how FUCKING MORONIC it would be to do something like this!
maybe it's just a rumour and nothing more and if so then that's ok but anyone actually seriously considering this must be a few sandwiches short of a picnic - then again, we're talking studio executives so I guess that's par for the course really...
but seriously, SHOW SOME FUCKING RESPECT and let the man REST IN PEACE!
Dark Knight makes a perfectly good swansong - no need to muddy the waters with some half-baked, poorly done, fucked up, RETARDED effort - the horse has bolted so shutting the gate now won't change a damn thing... -
It sure is starting to sound like a sequel to another Gilliam film.
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poetic justice
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But seriously folks, I love Terry Gilliam. His movies don't always work for me, but they're a lot more interesting than 99% of what gets made, if not shat upon us. THE MAN HAS HEART TO BURN!!! I even got to have lunch with the guy once when I was a freshman at Occidental College in LA (where he where he started out as an Art Major) and he has to be my favorite, all time, BRUSH WITH GREATNESS! So, eff all y'alluns who think this project can't be salvaged. Instead, why not send your LOVE and SUPPORT for Heath, Terry, and all involved? That said, fer crissakes, change the title already. "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" anybody? Didn't think so.
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No doubt that Heath gave a great performance, but Daniel Day as The Joker? How bloody perfect would that be?
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I like how quickly it goes from "Heath Ledger as the Joker, that's GAY" to "omg he's the greatest!" Lame.
I do like the idea for altering this flick though if it proves true. -
Chill out man, I was just sayin'!
After all that wouldn't be an impossible feat to accomplish. -
The two other characters (besides Johnny Depp) should be played by Daniel Day Lewis and either Cate Blanchett or Naomi Watts.
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I thought the initial announcement was slightly positive, and it get way more positive as photos and clips started getting released.
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...that Sean Penn, Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale have offered their services. Which is nice.
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