We Shouldn't Forget

We Shouldn’t Forget

A few days ago, I saw the trailer for the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises”, and while on message boards and internet forums, there’s a general buzz of excitement over the film, I myself can’t help but feeling depressed over it.

I know, it seems irrational, right? And I suppose it is. But one can’t always help the way they feel.

What the depression stems from is, I’m well and truly afraid that in the excitement and anticipation of this new movie, people will forget Heath Ledger and forget what an absolutely astounding performance he gave as the Joker in “The Dark Knight”.

You see, even in the short preview clip, and from what I’ve heard the actors involved say about the film, you can definitely see a concerted effort on the part of the filmmakers to “top” “The Dark Knight” with this one, to up the stakes, create a villain even more menacing then the Joker himself, to create a film more immense. And though I know, rationally, that it isn’t at all the intent of those involved to make people forget the last movie or Heath Ledger’s performance in it, I can’t help but feel as though it’s somewhat disrespectful to Heath and what he accomplished in “The Dark Knight”, what he accomplished with the character of the Joker.

I’m literally terrified that people are going to forget him and forget his incredible acting. That the new film will push “The Dark Knight” and Heath Ledger’s performance from people’s minds.

The thing is, if Heath were still alive, I’m certain I wouldn’t feel this way at all, because he would still be here making films, still sharing his astonishing talent with all of us, and no one could forget him then. He would still be prominent in all our minds.

But, he’s not here anymore, and he won’t ever be able to make another film again.

His role in “The Dark Knight”, as the Joker, was his last, completed film role, and one of his greatest roles. The role he’ll likely be most remembered for and the one that will forever be freshest in people’s minds. With this new Batman film, with them so obviously trying to top the last one, I can’t help but feel upset and worried over the notion that people’s last impression of Heath, their last memories, will be pushed aside or made to fade away. That people will become so caught up in this new movie, that they’ll forget what Heath was able to do in “The Dark Knight, what he was able to create. I don’t want that to happen. But I’m so scared that it will.

I want people to remember Heath Ledger, to think of him still and appreciate him still, to always admire what a brilliant talent, and a brilliant person he was.

A part of what’s so painful about this to me is, I think very clearly, at the end of “The Dark Knight”, they were setting it up to have the character of the Joker return in any sequel they might have been planning, that he would have played an important role in any subsequent film. But Heath Ledger passed away, and they couldn’t do that anymore, because no one else could have played that role. Not like him.

So now we have a new film, with a new villain, with them trying to show the stakes are higher, the threat is greater, and I’m depressed over the thought that with it, people won’t remember “The Dark Knight” or how incomparably amazing Heath Ledger was in the film, how masterful, and how he created and brought to life a villain you never, really could top, a villain whom would be impossible to be more threatening then, or more intimidating.

I can only hope, that when people go and see this new Batman movie, that while they’re watching it, they still keep Heath Ledger in their minds, that they don’t forget him, or forget how extraordinary he was, how brilliant an actor he was, and how he showcased that brilliance so breathtakingly in “The Dark Knight”.

I know no one could ever top Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker, that no one could ever do better then that. He was awe-inspiring. And that, along with his other performances, will forever remain.

I pray people keep Heath in their minds, and in their hearts, that they remember him and remember how magnificent, how unprecedented he was in “The Dark Knight”, even while watching “The Dark Knight Rises”.

I pray people show Heath Ledger that respect, that they keep hold of the admiration, the veneration they had for him when “The Dark Knight” was new.

I know I always will. That I’ll never forget him, or how amazing he was, no matter how “epic” they make the next film, or any film here after.