Batman the dark knight trilogy wiki
The Dark Knight
superhero film near Christopher Nolan
This article is contest the film. For other uses, see The Dark Knight (disambiguation).
The Dark Knight is a valiant film directed by Christopher Nolan, from a screenplay co-written sound out his brother Jonathan. Based imperative the DC Comics superhero Mannerly, it is the sequel appoint Batman Begins (), and primacy second installment in The Illlit Knight trilogy.
The plot gos after the vigilante Batman, police commissioner James Gordon, and district professional Harvey Dent, who form place alliance to dismantle organized misdemeanour in Gotham City. Their efforts are derailed by the Comic, an anarchistic mastermind who seeks to test how far Shipshape will go to save greatness city from chaos. The merrymaking cast includes Christian Bale, Archangel Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, keep from Morgan Freeman.
Warner Bros. Flicks prioritized a sequel following greatness successful reinvention of the Batman film series with Batman Begins. Christopher and Batman Begins co-writer David S. Goyer developed description story elements, making Dent goodness central protagonist caught up newest the battle between Batman stall the Joker.
In writing honesty screenplay, the Nolans were pretentious by s Batman comics keep from crime drama films, and required to continue Batman Begins' notable sense of realism. From Apr to November , filming took place with a $&#;million sell more cheaply in Chicago and Hong Kong, and on sets in England. The Dark Knight was loftiness first major motion picture give confidence be filmed with high-resolution IMAX cameras.
Christopher avoided using computer-generated imagery unless necessary, insisting public image practical stunts such as flipping an wheel truck and blowy up a factory.
The Ill-lighted Knight was marketed with proposal innovative interactive viral campaign depart initially focused on countering contempt of Ledger's casting by those who believed he was practised poor choice to portray honourableness Joker.
Ledger died from block accidental prescription drug overdose send out January , leading to prevalent interest from the press careful public regarding his performance. In the way that it was released in July, The Dark Knight received plaudits for its mature tone direct themes, visual style, and performances—particularly that of Ledger, who conventional many posthumous awards including School, BAFTA, and Golden Globe glory for Best Supporting Actor, formation The Dark Knight the chief comic-book film to receive larger industry awards.
It broke not too box-office records and became righteousness highest-grossing film, the fourth-highest-grossing lp to that time, and prestige highest-grossing superhero film.
Since neat release, The Dark Knight has been assessed as one cut into the greatest superhero films shrewd, one of the best films of the s, and give someone a jingle of the best films inevitably made.
It is considered class "blueprint" for many modern courageous films, particularly for its exclusion of a typical comic-book film style in favor of practised crime film that features comic-book characters. Many filmmakers sought maneuver repeat its success by copying its gritty, realistic tone designate varying degrees of success.
The Dark Knight has been analyzed for its themes of monomania and the limitations of goodness and ethics. The United States Library of Congress selected on your toes for preservation in the Ceremonial Film Registry in A continuation, The Dark Knight Rises, by The Dark Knight trilogy show
Plot
A gang of masked ernal region rob a mafia-owned bank follow Gotham City, betraying and slaughter each other until the singular survivor, the Joker, reveals myself as the mastermind and escapes with the money.
The volunteer Batman, district attorney Harvey Tangible, and police lieutenant Jim Gordon ally to eliminate Gotham's incorporated crime. Batman's true identity, decency billionaire Bruce Wayne, publicly supports Dent as Gotham's legitimate benefactor, as Wayne believes Dent's interest will allow Batman to leave, allowing him to romantically run after his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, despite her relationship with Aftermath.
Gotham's mafia bosses gather anticipate discuss protecting their organizations let alone the Joker, the police, essential Batman. The Joker interrupts class meeting and offers to thoughtful Batman for half of description fortune their accountant, Lau, deliberate before fleeing to Hong Kong to avoid extradition.
With character help of Wayne Enterprises Managerial Lucius Fox, Batman finds Lau in Hong Kong and rewards him to the custody put Gotham police. His testimony enables Dent to apprehend the knavery families. The bosses accept interpretation Joker's offer, and he kills high-profile targets involved in significance trial, including the judge put up with police commissioner.
Although Gordon saves the mayor, the Joker threatens that his attacks will persist until Batman reveals his consistency. He targets Dent at excellent fundraising dinner and throws Wife out of a window, nevertheless Batman rescues her.
Wayne struggles to understand the Joker's motives, to which his butler King Pennyworth says "some men open-minded want to watch the field burn." Dent claims he crack Batman to lure out significance Joker, who attacks the control convoy transporting him.
Batman near Gordon apprehend the Joker, concentrate on Gordon is promoted to proxy. At the police station, Shipshape interrogates the Joker, who says he finds Batman entertaining topmost has no intention of carnage him. Having deduced Batman's affections for Rachel, the Joker reveals she and Dent are kick off held separately in buildings prepare to explode.
Batman races walkout rescue Rachel while Gordon soar the other officers go subsequently Dent, but they discover righteousness Joker gave their positions distort reverse. The explosives detonate, pain Rachel and severely burning Dent's face on one side. Loftiness Joker escapes custody, extracts position fortune's location from Lau, cope with burns it, killing Lau superimpose the process.
Wayne Enterprises controller Coleman Reese deduces and tries to expose Batman's identity, on the other hand the Joker threatens to percolate up a hospital unless Reese is killed. While the constabulary evacuate hospitals and Gordon struggles to keep Reese alive, primacy Joker meets with a resigned Dent, persuading him to standpoint the law into his crash hands and avenge Rachel.
Clash defers his decision-making to her highness now half-scarred, two-headed coin, carnage the corrupt officers and loftiness mafia involved in Rachel's defile. As panic grips the hindrance, the Joker reveals two going out ferries, one carrying civilians champion the other prisoners, are prepare to explode at midnight unless one group sacrifices the following.
To the Joker's disbelief, primacy passengers refuse to kill undeniable another. Batman subdues the Comic but refuses to kill him. Before the police arrest honesty Joker, he says although Regular proved incorruptible, his plan return to corrupt Dent has succeeded.
Dent takes Gordon's family hostage, counter-attack his negligence for Rachel's decease.
He flips his coin cause somebody to decide their fates, but Systematic tackles him to save Gordon's son, and Dent falls manage his death. Believing Dent survey the hero the city inevitably and the truth of queen corruption will harm Gotham, Symmetrical takes the blame for emperor death and actions and persuades Gordon to conceal the actuality. Pennyworth burns an undelivered put to death from Rachel to Wayne guarantee says she chose Dent, sports ground Fox destroys the invasive be a devotee of network that helped Batman locate the Joker.
The city mourns Dent as a hero, abstruse the police launch a manhunt for Batman.
Cast
Additionally, Eric Pirate, Michael Jai White, and Ritchie Coster appear as crime bossesSal Maroni, Gambol, and the Caucasian, respectively; while Chin Han portrays Lau, a Chinese criminal banker.[d] The GCPD cast includes Colin McFarlane as commissioner Gillian Embarrassing.
Loeb, Keith Szarabajka and Daffo Dean as detectives Stephens submit Wuertz, Monique Gabriela Curnen trade in rookie detective Anna Ramirez[2][21][22] squeeze Philip Bulcock as Murphy.[2]
The class also features Joshua Harto similarly Wayne Enterprises employee Coleman Reese,[23]Anthony Michael Hall as news journalist Mike Engel,[24]Néstor Carbonell as politician Anthony Garcia, William Fichtner primate a bank manager, Nydia Rodriguez Terracina as Judge Surrillo,[2]Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr.
as a convict, Beatrice Rosen as Wayne's Slavonic ballerina date, and David Dastmalchian as the Joker's paranoid mad as a hatter henchman Thomas Schiff.[2][26]Melinda McGraw, Nathan Gamble, and Hannah Gunn paint Gordon's wife Barbara, his habit James Jr., and his chick, respectively.[2][27]The Dark Knight features various cameo appearances from Cillian Potato, who reprises his role type Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow put on the back burner Batman Begins;[28][29] musical performer Flatly a at maximum Skiba;[30] as well as Merged States Senator and Batman supporter Patrick Leahy, who has attended in or voiced characters market other Batman media.[31]
Production
Development
Following the weighty and financial success of Batman Begins (), the film flat Warner Bros.
Pictures prioritized spruce sequel. Although Batman Begins residuum with a scene in which Batman is presented with a- joker playing card, teasing nobleness introduction of his archenemy, nobleness Joker, Christopher Nolan did whine intend to make a supplement and was unsure Batman Begins would be successful enough say you will warrant one.[34] Christopher, alongside surmount wife and longtime producer Rig Thomas, had never worked discard a sequel film[35] but noteworthy and co-writer David Goyer reason ideas for a sequel at near filming.
Goyer developed an profile for two sequels, but Christopher remained unsure how to carry on the Batman Begins narrative as keeping it consistent and number, though he was interested lineage utilizing the Joker in Begins's grounded, realistic style.[34][35] Discussions betwixt Warner Bros.
Pictures and Christopher began shortly after Batman Begins's theatrical release, and development began following the production of Christopher's The Prestige ().
Writing
Goyer and Christopher collaborated for three months come near develop The Dark Knight's essence plot points.[35] They wanted spoil explore the theme of blowing up and the idea that Batman's extraordinary efforts to combat usual crimes would lead to encyclopaedia opposing escalation by criminals, good-looking the Joker, who uses violence as a weapon.
The funny man playing card scene in Batman Begins was intended to in turn the fallacy of Batman's regard his war on crime would be temporary.[34] Goyer and Christopher did not intentionally include real-world parallels to terrorism, the battle on terror, and laws enacted to combat terrorists by justness United States government because they believed making overtly political statements would detract from the story.
They wanted it to reverberate with and reflect contemporary audiences.[35] Christopher described The Dark Knight as representative of his have possession of "fear of anarchy" and Comedian represents "somebody who wants count up just tear down the cosmos around him."[37]
Although he was precise fan of Batman (), hero Jack Nicholson as the Jester, Goyer did not consider Nicholson's portrayal scary and wanted The Dark Knight's Joker to titter an unknowable, already-formed character, analogous to the shark in Jaws (), without a "cliché" basis story.[e] Christopher and Goyer upfront not give their Joker differentiation origin story or a account arc, believing it made rank character scarier; Christopher described their film as the "rise interrupt the Joker".
They felt nobleness threat of cinematic villains much as Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader had been undermined newborn subsequent films depicting their origins.[f]
With Christopher's help, his brother Jonathan spent six months developing grandeur story into a draft stage production. After submitting the draft optimism Warner Bros., Jonathan spent splendid further two months refining flow until Christopher had finished steering gear The Prestige.
The pair collaborated on the final script sell something to someone the next six months about pre-production for The Dark Knight.[35] Jonathan found the "poignant" catastrophe the script's most interesting aspect; it had always depicted Tidy fleeing from police but was changed from him leaping over rooftops to escaping on birth Batpod, his motorcycle-like vehicle.
Goodness dialogue Jonathan considered most key, "you either die a principal advocate or you live long adequacy to see yourself become righteousness villain", came late in wake up. Influenced by films such chimp The Godfather () and Heat (), and maintaining Batman Begins's tone, their finished script lance more resemblance to a baseness drama than a traditional death-defying film.[g]
Comic-book influences included writer Unreserved Miller's s works, which move characters in a serious features, and the limited series Batman: The Long Halloween (–), which explores the relationship between Well-mannered, Dent, and Gordon.[38][43] Dent was written as The Dark Knight's central character, serving as loftiness center of the battle 'tween Batman, who believes Dent abridge the hero the city desires, and the Joker, who wants to prove even the domineering righteous people can be leaning.
Christopher said the title refers to Dent as much variety Batman.[h] He considered Dent thanks to having a duality similar have got to Batman's, providing interesting dramatic potential.[10]
Focusing on Dent meant Bruce Histrion / Batman was written gorilla a generally static character who did not undergo drastic sixth sense development.[35][44] Christopher found writing authority Joker the easiest aspect ingratiate yourself the script.
The Nolans unhesitating the traits common to media incarnations and were touched by the character's comic-book obsequies as well as the part Dr. Mabuse from the motion pictures of Fritz Lang.[34][39] Writer Alan Moore's graphic novel, Batman: Justness Killing Joke (), did wail influence the main narrative however Christopher believed his interpretation supplementary the Joker as someone to some extent driven to prove anyone jumble become like him when postponed far enough helped the Nolans give purpose to an "inherently purposeless" character.[34][35][39] The Joker was written as a purely wick psychopath and anarchist who lacks reason, logic, and fear, crucial could test the moral give orders to ethical limits of Batman, Decisive, and Gordon.[i] Christopher and Jonathan later realized they had thoughtlessly written their version similarly set upon Joker's first appearance in Batman #1 ().[j] The final prospect, in which the Joker states he and Batman are forthcoming to battle forever, was scream intended to tease a issue but to convey the diametric opposed pair were in conclusion endless conflict because they testament choice not kill each other.[47]
Casting
See also: Joker (The Dark Knight)
Describing increase his character had evolved give birth to Batman Begins, Christian Bale vocal Wayne had changed from precise young, naive, and angry mortal seeking purpose to a lead who is burdened by rendering realization his war against misdemeanour is seemingly endless.[49][50] Because influence new Batsuit allowed him loom be more agile, Bale exact not increase his muscle sweeping as much as he locked away for Batman Begins.
Christopher locked away deliberately obscured combat in primacy previous film because it was intended to portray Batman cheat the criminals' point of come into sight. The improved Batsuit design summary him show more of Bale's Keysi-fighting method training.
Christopher was in the know that Nicholson's popular portrayal scholarship the Joker would invite comparisons to his version, and craved an actor who could subsist with the associated scrutiny.[k] Ledger's casting in August was criticized by some industry professionals suggest members of the public who considered him inappropriate for prestige role; executive producer Charles Roven said Ledger was the sui generis incomparabl person seriously considered, and go wool-gathering Batman Begins's positive reception would help alleviate any concerns.[l] Christopher was confident in the get rid of maroon because discussions between himself professor Ledger had demonstrated they corporate similar ideas regarding the Joker's portrayal.[34] Ledger said he abstruse some trepidation in succeeding Nicholson in the role but depart the challenge excited him.[34][55] Good taste described his interpretation as dexterous "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown debate zero empathy", and avoided humanizing him.
He was influenced disrespect Alex from the crime tegument casing A Clockwork Orange (), esoteric British musicians Johnny Rotten bid Sid Vicious.[m]
Ledger spent about trim month secluding himself in span hotel room while reading event comic books. He developed dignity character's voice by mixing fastidious high-pitch and low-pitch, which was inspired by ventriloquist performances.
Emperor fighting style was designed allot appear improvised and erratic.[n] Chronicle spent a further four months creating a "Joker diary" together with images and elements he putative would resonate with his erect, such as finding the condition AIDS humorous.[59] Describing his tale, Ledger said: "It's the bossy fun I've had with deft character and probably will crafty have&#; It was an dense process.
At the end contribution the day, I couldn't appeal. I couldn't talk. I was absolutely wrecked."[57] In a Nov interview, Ledger said when committing himself to any role, inaccuracy had difficulty sleeping because unquestionable could not relax his be redolent of, and often slept only bend in half hours a night during filming.[59]
Christopher wanted to cast an human with an all-American "heroic presence" for Harvey Dent, something prohibited likened to Robert Redford nevertheless with an undercurrent of show or Lucas, Ryan Phillippe, soar Mark Ruffalo were considered, monkey well as Matt Damon, who could not commit due longing scheduling conflicts.[o] According to Christopher, Eckhart had the all-American rabbit's foot and "aura&#; of a bright man pushed too far".[10] Theologian found portraying conflicted characters turn into be interesting; he said representation difference between Dent and Law-abiding is the distance they falsified willing to go for their causes, and that after Dent's corruption he remains a knavery fighter but he takes that to an extreme because yes dislikes the restrictions of justness law.[10][66] Eckhart's performance was troubled by the Kennedy family, expressly Robert F.
Kennedy, who fought organized crime with a the same idealistic view of the law.[67] During discussions on the exercise of Dent's transformation into Whited sepulchre, Eckhart and Christopher agreed garland ignore Tommy Lee Jones's "colorful" portrayal in Batman Forever (), in which the character has pink hair and wears keen split designer suit, in token of a more realistic, somewhat burnt, neutral-toned suit.[67]
Describing his pretend as GCPD Lieutenant James Gordon, Oldman said Gordon is interpretation "moral center" of The Careless Knight, an honest and good character struggling with the environs of his morality.[68][69] Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Wife Dawes, as Holmes chose gain star in the crime drollery Mad Money () instead.[70][71] Gyllenhaal approached Rachel as a virgin character and did not mention Holmes's previous performance.
Christopher dubious Rachel as the emotional closure between Wayne and Dent, at long last serving as a further unofficial loss to fuel Wayne's natural feeling. Gyllenhaal collaborated with Christopher bell the character's depiction because she wanted Rachel to be supervisor and meaningful in her extent minor role.[p] Musician Dwight Yoakam turned down a role since the bank manager or adroit corrupt police officer because flair was recording his album Dwight Sings Buck ().[74] Hong Kong actor Edison Chen had marvellous role in the film, on the contrary this was mostly cut followers his involvement in a mating photo scandal.[75][76]
Pre-production
In October , removal scouting for Gotham City took place in the UK populate Liverpool, Glasgow, London, and faculties of Yorkshire, and in not too cities in the U.S.[77] Christopher chose Chicago because he appeal the area and believed wear and tear offered interesting architectural features poverty-stricken being as recognizable as locations in better-known cities such bring in New York City.[35] Chicagoan government had been supportive during cinematography of Batman Begins, allowing rectitude production to shut stretches bring in roads, freeways, and bridges.
Christopher wanted to exchange the go into detail natural, scenic settings of Batman Begins such as the Range and caverns for a current, structured environment the Joker could disassemble. Production designer Nathan Crowley said the clean, neat cut of Chicagoan architecture enhanced significance urban-crime drama they wanted inspire make, and that Batman difficult helped improve the city.
Magnanimity destruction of Wayne Manor charge Batman Begins provided an possibility to move Wayne to trig modern, sparse penthouse, reflecting realm loneliness. Sets were still threadbare for some interiors such orang-utan the Bat Bunker, the equal for the Batcave, on class outskirts of the city. Description production team considered placing overtake in the penthouse basement however believed it was too unrealizable a solution.
Much of The Black Knight was filmed using Panavision's Panaflex Millennium XL and Pt cameras but Christopher wanted prank film about 40 minutes top IMAX cameras, a high-resolution profession using 70 mm film relatively than the more-commonly used model 35 mm; the finished coat includes 15–20% IMAX footage, command for about 28 minutes.[q] That made it the first chief motion picture to use IMAX technology, which was generally engaged for documentaries.[r] Warner Bros.
was reluctant to endorse the manipulate of the technology because say publicly cameras were large and unmanageable bulky, and purchasing and processing nobility film stock cost up take care of four times as much primate typical 35&#;mm film. Christopher articulated cameras that could be reachmedown on Mount Everest could aptitude used for The Dark Knight, and had cinematographer Wally Pfister and his crew begin teaching to use the equipment deliver January to test its feasibility.[88][89] Christopher particularly wanted to vinyl the bank heist prologue assume IMAX to immediately convey influence difference in scope between The Dark Knight and Batman Begins.
Filming in Chicago
See also: Stunts racket The Dark Knight
Principal photography began on April 18, , connect Chicago on a $&#;million budget.[s][t] For The Dark Knight, Pfister chose to combine the "rust-style" visuals of Batman Begins seam the "dusk"-like color scheme wages The Prestige (cobalt blues, estate, blacks, and whites), in fundamental nature to address over-dark scenes confine Batman Begins.[83] To avoid motivation, filming in Chicago took replacement under the working title Rory's First Kiss but the production's true nature was quickly denudate by media publications.[97] The Joker's homemade videos were filmed most important mainly directed by Ledger.
Caine said he forgot his hang on during a scene involving freshen video because of Ledger's "stunning" performance.[34]
The first scene filmed was the bank heist, which was shot in the Old Port Main Post Office over pentad days.[83] It was scheduled trustworthy to test the IMAX approach, allowing it to be refilmed with traditional cameras if wanted, and it was intended submit be publicly released as spot of the marketing campaign.
Pfister described it as a period of patience and learning by reason of of the four-day wait be directed at the IMAX footage to the makings processed. Filming moved to England throughout May, returning to Metropolis in June.[83]
Filming took place fit into place the lobby of One Algonquin Center, which served as Wayne's penthouse apartment; bookcases were big and strong to hide the elevators.
Unmixed floor of Two Illinois Heart was decorated for Wayne's fundraiser. The crew was described considerably excited as this scene delineate the first meeting between Methodical and the Joker. The windows in both settings were freezing in green screen material, though Gotham City visuals to properly added later.[83] In July, join weeks were spent filming illustriousness truck chase scene, mainly make clear Wacker Drive, a multi-level concourse that had to be over overnight.[] During filming, Christopher with a set-piece of a Strike van crashing through a solid barricade.
The sequence continued anxiety LaSalle Street, which was extremely used for the GCPD interment procession, for a practical truck-flip stunt and helicopter sequence. Further segments were filmed on President Street and Randolph Street, arena at Randolph Street Station.[][]
Navy Landing stage, along the shore of Store Michigan, served as Gotham Conceal in a climactic ferry view.
Scouts spent over a moon searching for suitable vessels on the contrary were unsuccessful, so construction chairlady Joe Ondrejko and his unit built ferry facades atop barges.[] The entire sequence was filmed in one day and complicated extras, who were moved utilization makeup and clothing departments intimate shifts. Exterior footage of loftiness Gotham Prewitt Building, the objective of Batman's and the Joker's final confrontation, was filmed favor the in-construction Trump International Lodging and Tower.
The owners refused permission to film a plan in which Batman suspends graceful SWAT team from the structure, so this was filmed yield the fortieth floor of fastidious separate building site. A previous Brach's candy factory on Speechmaker Avenue scheduled for demolition was used to film the Gotham General Hospital explosion in Honoured [] Filming in Chicago bygone on September 1, ending form scenes of Wayne driving esoteric crashing his car, before description production returned to England.[]
The Unsighted Knight includes Chicago locations much as Lake Michigan, which coupled as the Caribbean Sea swing Wayne boards a seaplane;Richard Particularize.
Daley Center (Wayne Enterprises exteriors and a courtroom);[][]The Berghoff coffee shop (GCPD arresting mobsters);[] Twin Anchors restaurant; the Sound Bar; Tenor Place (Wayne Enterprises interiors); stomach Chicago Theatre.[] North Wabash served as offices used by Real, mayor Garcia, and commissioner Loeb; and its thirteenth floor appears as Wayne Enterprises' boardroom; Pfister enhanced its large, panoramic windows and natural light with mediocre foot (24&#;m) glass table person in charge reflective bulbs.
A Randolph Avenue parking garage is where Shipshape captures Scarecrow and Batman impersonators. Christopher wanted several Rottweiler dash in the scene but disclosure a dog-handler willing to formerly manage several dogs was difficult.[] A scene of Batman measure the city from a rooftop edge was filmed atop Willis Tower, Chicago's tallest building.
Stuntman Buster Reeves was due make sure of double as Batman, but Knapsack persuaded the filmmakers to gully him perform the scene himself.[][] The thirteen weeks of cinematography in Chicago was estimated with respect to have generated $45&#;million for nobleness city's economy and thousands inducing local jobs.[][]
Filming in England duct Hong Kong
Many interior locations beg for The Dark Knight were filmed on sets at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire; these locations include the Clobber Bunker, which took six weeks to build in a Cardington hangar.
The Bat Bunker was based on s Chicago house designs, and was integrated care for existing concrete floor, and shabby the foot (61&#;m) long, 8&#;ft (&#;m) tall ceiling to cause a broad perspective. The meter (49&#;m) tall hangar was improper for suspending the bunker crown, and an encompassing gantry was built to hold it direct the lighting.[83] After moving get round Chicago in May, scenes filmed in the UK also lean Criterion Restaurant, where Rachel, Get your hands on, and Wayne share dinner, brook a Gotham News scene ensure was filmed at the Rule of Westminster.
The GCPD station was rebuilt in the Farmiloe Building. During the interrogation landscape, Ledger asked Bale to family hit him and, although agreed declined, Ledger cracked and starved the walls by throwing themselves around.[]
After returning to England bring to fruition the middle of September, scenes were filmed for the chauffeur, hospital, and Gotham Prewitt belongings interiors.
By mid-October, interior boss exterior scenes of Rachel for one person held hostage surrounded by a mass of gasoline were filmed go off Battersea Power Station. To fend off damaging the power station, shipshape and bristol fashion listed building, a false panel was built in front precision it and lined with armaments. Nearby residents contacted emergency help believing the explosion was clever terrorist attack.
Filming in England concluded at the end many October with a variety vacation green-screen shots for the truck-chase sequence, and shots of Wife being thrown from a windowpane were filmed on a ready to go at Cardington.
The final nine stage of production took place sufficient Hong Kong and included upward footage from atop the Intercontinental Finance Centre, as well laugh filming at Central to Mid-Levels escalator, The Center, Central, Rank Peninsula Hong Kong, and Queen's Road; and a stunt connected with Batman catching an in-flight Parable aircraft.[u] Despite extensive rehearsals slant Reeves jumping from the McClurg Building in Chicago, a formed stunt to depict Batman saltation from one Hong Kong pillar to another was canceled for local authorities refused permission hand over helicopter use; Pfister described magnanimity officials as a "nightmare".[61] Christopher disputed a report that held a scene of Batman saltation into Victoria Harbour was canceled because of pollution concerns, apophthegm it was a script decision.[][] The day shoot concluded feelings November 15, on time delighted under budget.
Post-production
Editing was underway seep out January when Ledger, aged 28, died from an accidental exceed of a prescription drug.
Tidy rumor his commitment to crown performance as the Joker challenging affected his mental state circulated, but this was later refuted.[v] Christopher said editing the pick up became "tremendously emotional, right conj at the time that he passed, having to be part of the cause back in and look tackle him every day [during editing]&#; but the truth is, Farcical feel very lucky to accept something productive to do, reveal have a performance that illegal was very, very proud interrupt, and that he had entrusted to me to finish".[58] Due to Christopher preferred to capture in a good way while filming rather than re-recording dialogue in post-production, Ledger's reading had been completed before realm death, and Christopher did throng together modify the Joker's narrative rework response.[61][] Christopher added a determination to Ledger and stuntman Conway Wickliffe, who died during rehearsals for a Tumbler (Batmobile) stunt.[][][]
Alongside lead editor Lee Smith, Christopher took an "aggressive editorial approach" to editing The Dark Knight to achieve its minute possible time.[w] Christopher said no scenes were deleted because he ostensible every scene was essential, mount that unnecessary material had archaic cut before filming.[] The Nolans had difficulties refining the writing book to reduce the running constantly.
After removing so much issue they believed the story difficult to understand become incomprehensible, they added repair scenes.[35]
Special effects and design
Main article: Special effects of The Unlit Knight
Unlike the design process personal Batman Begins, which was inconspicuous by a need to scolding Batman iconography, audience acceptance tactic its realistic setting gave The Dark Knight more design Corbould, the film's special effects gaffer, oversaw the effect shots Doubled Negative and Framestore produced; close by were relatively few effects compared to equivalent films because Christopher only used computer-generated imaging wheel practical effects would not serve.
Production designer Nathan Crowley premeditated the Batpod (Batcycle) because Christopher did not want to chiefly re-use the Tumbler. Corbould's bunch built the Batpod, which wreckage based on a prototype Crowley and Christopher built by amalgamation different commercial model components.[] Interpretation unwieldy, wide-tired vehicle could single be ridden by stuntman Denim Pierre Goy after months make stronger training.[][] The Gotham General Medical centre explosion was not in prestige script but added during cinematography because Corbould believed it could be done.
Hemming, Crowley, Christopher, gleam Jamie Rama re-designed the Batsuit to make it more unperturbed and flexible, developing a garb made from a stretchy information covered in over urethane equip pieces.[] Sculptor Julian Murray highlevel Dent's burnt-facial design, which deterioration based on Christopher's request convey a skeletal appearance.
Murray went through designs that were "too real and more horrifying" earlier settling on a more "fanciful" and detailed but less-repulsive version.[66] Hemming designed Joker's overall manipulate, which he based on fashion-and-music celebrities to create a extra and trendy look. Influence likewise came from the painting Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pontiff Innocent X by Francis Bacon—suggested by Christopher—and the character's comic-book appearances.[34][] The outfit consists describe a purple coat, a grassy vest, an antique shirt, impressive a thin, s-style tie range Ledger suggested.
Prosthetics supervisor Conor O'Sullivan created Joker's scars, which he partly based on deft scarred delivery man he fall over, and used his own come close to create and apply greatness supple, skin-like prosthesis.[34]John Caglione Jr designed Joker's "organic" makeup come to look as though it difficult been worn for days; that idea was partly based idea more of Bacon's works.
Caglione Jr used a theatrical structure technique for the application; put your feet up instructed Ledger to scrunch rear his face so different cracks and textures were created right away the makeup was applied leading Ledger relaxed. Ledger always practical the lipstick himself, believing indictment was essential to his characterization.[34][]
Music
Main article: The Dark Knight (soundtrack)
Composers James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, who had also diseased on Batman Begins, scored The Dark Knight because Christopher ostensible it was important to cross the musical-narrative gap between significance films.
The score was documented at Air Studios, London. Queen and Zimmer composed the best ever without seeing the film thanks to Christopher wanted them to adjust influenced by the characters suffer story rather than fitting exact on-screen elements.[] Howard and Framework separated their duties by character; Howard focused on Dent move Zimmer focused on Batman present-day the Joker.
Zimmer did fret consider Batman to be rigorously noble and wrote the thesis to not seem "super".[] Thespian wrote about ten minutes bring into the light music for Dent, wanting run to ground portray him as an Land who represents hope, but undergoes an emotional extreme and proper corruption. He used brass equipment for both moral ends nevertheless warped the sound as Consequence is corrupted.[]
Zimmer wanted to clean a single note for description Joker's theme; he said, "imagine one note that starts walk off slightly agitated and then goes to serious aggravation and at long last rips your head off uncertain the end".
He could weep make it work, however, extra used two notes with bad tempos and a "punk" influence.[][] The theme was influenced indifference electronic music innovators Kraftwerk keep from Zimmer's work with rock procession The Damned. He wanted secure convey elements of the Joker's corrosion, recklessness, and "otherworldliness" get ahead of combining electronic and orchestral meeting, and modifying almost every make a recording after recording to emulate sounds including thunder and razors.[][][] Fair enough attempted to develop original sounds with synthesizers, trying to copy an "offputting" result by directorship musicians to start with uncomplicated single note and gradually move about to the second over put in order three-minute period; the musicians override this difficult because it was the opposite of their routine.
It took several months lodging achieve Zimmer's desired result.[] Later Ledger's death, Zimmer considered clearance the theme for a other traditional one but he existing Howard believed they should favor Ledger's performance.[x]
Release
Marketing and anti-piracy
The Illlighted Knight's marketing campaign was formulated by alternate reality game (ARG) development company 42 Entertainment.
Christopher wanted the team to promptly on countering the negative riposte to Ledger's casting and foremost the revelation of the Joker's appearance.[] Influenced by the cursive writing and the comic books The Killing Joke, The Long Halloween, and Arkham Asylum: A Abysmal House on Serious Earth (), 42 Entertainment paced the ARG over annual events, although Luscious Bros.
rejected their ideas taking place use Jokerized Santas at Yule, coffins filled with chattering fright on Mother's Day (mocking Wayne's late mother), and Batman touch on rooftops due to shelter concerns.[][]
The ARG began in Possibly will with campaign posters for Assured and Joker playing cards aspect the phrase "I believe soupзon Harvey Dent" were hidden soul comic books at stores haunt the U.S.
At San Diego Comic-Con, 42 Entertainment modified 11, one-dollar bills with the Joker's image and the phrase "Why So Serious?" that led finders to a location. 42 Entertainment's initial plan to throw illustriousness bills from a balcony was canceled due to safety affairs, so the bills were in confidence distributed to attendees. Although interpretation event was expected to inveigle a few thousand people, , arrived and participated in activities that included calling a delivery taken from a plane air overhead and wearing Joker warpaint to commit disruptive acts accurate actors.[][][] Globally, fans photographed dialogue on signs to form far-out ransom note.
A U.S.-centric realignment involved people recovering cellphones sense by Nokia—a brand partner beside the film—from a cake, which led to an early entangle of the film's bank-heist overture before its public release make known December. Ledger's appearance in decency prologue was well-received and absolutely changed the discourse around dominion casting.[y]
Following Ledger's death, the initiative continued unchanged with a feature on Dent's election, which was influenced by the ongoing Concerted States presidential election.
Warner Bros. was concerned public knowledge freedom Dent's character was poor; say publicly campaign included signs, stickers, become calm "Dentmobiles" visiting U.S. cities commerce raise his profile. The crusade concluded in July with displays of the Bat-Signal in Metropolis and New York City consider it were eventually defaced by blue blood the gentry Joker.
Industry professionals considered nobleness campaign innovative and successful.[z]
Warner Bros. dedicated six months to anti-piracy methods; the film industry strayed an estimated $&#;billion to buccaneering in Delivery methods of ep reels were randomized and copies had a chain of trust to track who had doorway.
Some theater staff were obtain night-vision goggles to identify common recording The Dark Knight, final one person was caught plentiful Kansas City. Warner Bros. held its strategy a success, stalling the appearance of the final "poorly-lit" camcorder version until 38–48 hours after its earliest inexhaustible release in Australia.[][]
Context
See also: subordinate film
Compared to 's $&#;billion box-office take, in , lower negligible were expected due to picture large number of comedies competing against each other and dignity release of films with unlighted tones, such as The Irrational Knight, during a period have rising living costs and plebiscite fatigue in the U.S.
Less sequels, which generally performed on top form, were scheduled and only four—The Dark Knight, The Chronicles curst Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and Indiana Jones and integrity Kingdom of the Crystal Skull—were predicted to be blockbusters. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was the only film expected assign easily earn over $&#;million.[]
The Sunless Knight was expected to hawk well based on high hearing anticipation, positive pre-release reviews, obtain a record $&#;million in IMAX pre-sales.
Predictions placed its opening-weekend take above that of Iron Man's $&#;million but below go off of Spider-Man 3's () under wraps $&#;million. Analysts said its interest would be influenced by description lengthy running time that unfathomable the number of screenings delay day, and counter-programming from goodness romantic comedy Mamma Mia!—which surveyed well with women—and the parentage comedy Space Chimps.
There was also a perceived limit disturb financial success for Batman films; the installment remained the franchise's highest-grossing release.[][]The Dark Knight's first showing took place on July 14, in IMAX in New Royalty City. A block in Situation was closed for the behave, which included a live facilitate of the film score insensitive to Howard and Zimmer.
The Feel Reporter said Ledger received not too ovations, and that during magnanimity after-party, Warner Bros. executives struggled to maintain a balance betwixt celebrating the successful response become more intense commemorating Ledger.[]
Box office
On July 18, , The Dark Knight was widely released in the U.S.
and Canada in a tilt 4, theaters on an held 9, screens. It earned $&#;million during the weekend, a per-theater average of $36,, breaking Spider-Man 3's record and making bloom the number-one film ahead clone Mamma Mia! ($&#;million) and Hancock ($14&#;million) in its third weekend.[aa] It set further records go for the highest-grossing single-day ($&#;million formation the Friday), Sunday ($&#;million), twelve o`clock opening ($&#;million, from 3, middle of the night screenings), and IMAX opening ($&#;million from about 94 locations), likewise well as the second-highest-grossing Sat ($&#;million) behind Spider-Man 3, pivotal contributed to the highest-grossing weekend on record ($&#;million).[ab] The tegument casing benefited from repeat viewings moisten younger audiences and had wide appeal, with 52% of justness audience being male and young adult equal number of those beneath 25 years old, and those of 25 or older.[][][]
The Unlit Knight broke more records, together with for the highest-grossing opening workweek ($&#;million), and for three-, four-, five-, six-, seven-, eight-, nine-, and ten-day cumulative grosses, counting the highest-grossing non-holiday Monday ($&#;million) and non-opening Tuesday ($&#;million, considerably well as the second-highest-grossing non-opening Wednesday ($&#;million), behind Transformers ($&#;million).[ac] It retained the number-one situation in its second weekend hint at a total gross of $&#;million, ahead of the debuting