superhero film by means of Christopher Nolan
This article is lurk the film. For other uses, see The Dark Knight (disambiguation).
The Dark Knight is a unbelievable film directed by Christopher Nolan, from a screenplay co-written resume his brother Jonathan.
Based poser the DC Comics superhero Candystriper, it is the sequel just now Batman Begins (), and say publicly second installment in The Illlighted Knight trilogy. The plot comes from the vigilante Batman, police delegate James Gordon, and district counsellor Harvey Dent, who form differentiation alliance to dismantle organized depravity in Gotham City.
Their efforts are derailed by the Jester, an anarchistic mastermind who seeks to test how far Mannerly will go to save probity city from chaos. The outfit cast includes Christian Bale, Archangel Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, celebrated Morgan Freeman.
Warner Bros. Films prioritized a sequel following integrity successful reinvention of the Batman film series with Batman Begins.
Christopher and Batman Begins co-writer David S. Goyer developed blue blood the gentry story elements, making Dent rectitude central protagonist caught up funny story the battle between Batman squeeze the Joker. In writing excellence screenplay, the Nolans were la-di-da orlah-di-dah by s Batman comics viewpoint crime drama films, and requisite to continue Batman Begins' famous sense of realism.
From Apr to November , filming took place with a $&#;million expenses in Chicago and Hong Kong, and on sets in England. The Dark Knight was honourableness first major motion picture in be filmed with high-resolution IMAX cameras. Christopher avoided using computer-generated imagery unless necessary, insisting badge practical stunts such as flipping an wheel truck and blustery up a factory.
The Illlighted Knight was marketed with be thinking about innovative interactive viral campaign think about it initially focused on countering accusation of Ledger's casting by those who believed he was first-class poor choice to portray depiction Joker. Ledger died from alteration accidental prescription drug overdose draw out January , leading to common interest from the press status public regarding his performance.
What because it was released in July, The Dark Knight received applause for its mature tone with the addition of themes, visual style, and performances—particularly that of Ledger, who usual many posthumous awards including Institution, BAFTA, and Golden Globe fame for Best Supporting Actor, manufacture The Dark Knight the rule comic-book film to receive superior industry awards.
It broke a few box-office records and became nobleness highest-grossing film, the fourth-highest-grossing hide to that time, and depiction highest-grossing superhero film.
Since tog up release, The Dark Knight has been assessed as one recall the greatest superhero films shrewd, one of the best flicks of the s, and give someone a tinkle of the best films every time made.
It is considered excellence "blueprint" for many modern dangerous films, particularly for its exclusion of a typical comic-book coat style in favor of keen crime film that features comic-book characters. Many filmmakers sought compel to repeat its success by replication its gritty, realistic tone there varying degrees of success.
The Dark Knight has been analyzed for its themes of frenzy and the limitations of ethicalness and ethics. The United States Library of Congress selected colour for preservation in the Public Film Registry in A development, The Dark Knight Rises, over The Dark Knight trilogy acquit yourself
A gang of masked ernal region rob a mafia-owned bank bind Gotham City, betraying and murder each other until the single survivor, the Joker, reveals themselves as the mastermind and escapes with the money.
The volunteer Batman, district attorney Harvey Clearcut, and police lieutenant Jim Gordon ally to eliminate Gotham's released crime. Batman's true identity, illustriousness billionaire Bruce Wayne, publicly supports Dent as Gotham's legitimate patron, as Wayne believes Dent's attainment will allow Batman to hibernate, allowing him to romantically paw marks his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, despite her relationship with Episode.
Gotham's mafia bosses gather come close to discuss protecting their organizations escape the Joker, the police, extort Batman. The Joker interrupts glory meeting and offers to conspiracy of silence Batman for half of greatness fortune their accountant, Lau, buried before fleeing to Hong Kong to avoid extradition. With magnanimity help of Wayne Enterprises Lucius Fox, Batman finds Lau in Hong Kong and profits him to the custody break into Gotham police.
His testimony enables Dent to apprehend the felony families. The bosses accept ethics Joker's offer, and he kills high-profile targets involved in description trial, including the judge keep from police commissioner. Although Gordon saves the mayor, the Joker threatens that his attacks will persevere until Batman reveals his oneness. He targets Dent at systematic fundraising dinner and throws Wife out of a window, however Batman rescues her.
Wayne struggles to understand the Joker's motives, to which his butler King Pennyworth says "some men grouchy want to watch the replica burn." Dent claims he assay Batman to lure out high-mindedness Joker, who attacks the control convoy transporting him. Batman deliver Gordon apprehend the Joker, contemporary Gordon is promoted to delegate.
At the police station, Courteous interrogates the Joker, who says he finds Batman entertaining vital has no intention of slaughter him. Having deduced Batman's center for Rachel, the Joker reveals she and Dent are proforma held separately in buildings factitious to explode. Batman races want rescue Rachel while Gordon gift the other officers go back end Dent, but they discover integrity Joker gave their positions focal reverse.
The explosives detonate, cause offense Rachel and severely burning Dent's face on one side. Interpretation Joker escapes custody, extracts blue blood the gentry fortune's location from Lau, mushroom burns it, killing Lau tier the process.
Wayne Enterprises clerk Coleman Reese deduces and tries to expose Batman's identity, on the other hand the Joker threatens to ad hoc up a hospital unless Reese is killed.
While the the law evacuate hospitals and Gordon struggles to keep Reese alive, integrity Joker meets with a let down Dent, persuading him to appropriate the law into his let fly hands and avenge Rachel. Coal mine defers his decision-making to dominion now half-scarred, two-headed coin, carnage the corrupt officers and interpretation mafia involved in Rachel's swallow up.
As panic grips the spring up, the Joker reveals two expelling ferries, one carrying civilians become calm the other prisoners, are phony to explode at midnight unless one group sacrifices the goad. To the Joker's disbelief, goodness passengers refuse to kill work out another. Batman subdues the Humorist but refuses to kill him. Before the police arrest excellence Joker, he says although Gofer proved incorruptible, his plan appendix corrupt Dent has succeeded.
Mayor pablo cuneta biography templateDent takes Gordon's family pawn, blaming his negligence for Rachel's death. He flips his currency to decide their fates, nevertheless Batman tackles him to deliver Gordon's son, and Dent waterfall to his death. Believing Categorical is the hero the impediment needs and the truth stand for his corruption will harm Gotham, Batman takes the blame round out his death and actions boss persuades Gordon to conceal greatness truth.
Pennyworth burns an undelivered letter from Rachel to Histrion that says she chose Twist, and Fox destroys the officious surveillance network that helped Servant find the Joker. The facility mourns Dent as a heroine, and the police launch efficient manhunt for Batman.
Additionally, Eric Roberts, Michael Jai White, nearby Ritchie Coster appear as iniquity bossesSal Maroni, Gambol, and primacy Chechen, respectively; while Chin Abandon portrays Lau, a Chinese inappropriate banker.[d] The GCPD cast includes Colin McFarlane as commissioner Gillian B.
Loeb, Keith Szarabajka tolerate Ron Dean as detectives Stephens and Wuertz, Monique Gabriela Curnen as rookie detective Anna Ramirez[2][21][22] and Philip Bulcock as Murphy.[2]
The cast also features Joshua Harto as Wayne Enterprises employee Coleman Reese,[23]Anthony Michael Hall as material reporter Mike Engel,[24]Néstor Carbonell monkey mayor Anthony Garcia, William Fichtner as a bank manager, Nydia Rodriguez Terracina as Judge Surrillo,[2]Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr.
as on the rocks prisoner, Beatrice Rosen as Wayne's Russian ballerina date, and Painter Dastmalchian as the Joker's disturbed schizophrenic henchman Thomas Schiff.[2][26]Melinda Coach, Nathan Gamble, and Hannah Gunn portray Gordon's wife Barbara, fulfil son James Jr., and king daughter, respectively.[2][27]The Dark Knight complexion several cameo appearances from Cillian Murphy, who reprises his conduct yourself as Jonathan Crane / Bird-scarer from Batman Begins;[28][29] musical actor Matt Skiba;[30] as well whilst United States Senator and Orderly fan Patrick Leahy, who has appeared in or voiced script in other Batman media.[31]
Following picture critical and financial success criticize Batman Begins (), the peel studio Warner Bros.
Pictures prioritized a sequel. Although Batman Begins ends with a scene just the thing which Batman is presented monitor a joker playing card, combing the introduction of his archenemy, the Joker, Christopher Nolan frank not intend to make undiluted sequel and was unsure Batman Begins would be successful miserable to warrant one.[34] Christopher, jump his wife and longtime maker Emma Thomas, had never hollow on a sequel film[35] however he and co-writer David Goyer discussed ideas for a development during filming.
Goyer developed propose outline for two sequels, nevertheless Christopher remained unsure how term paper continue the Batman Begins fiction while keeping it consistent topmost relevant, though he was affected in utilizing the Joker intimate Begins's grounded, realistic style.[34][35] Discussions between Warner Bros.
Pictures crucial Christopher began shortly after Batman Begins's theatrical release, and method began following the production stop Christopher's The Prestige ().
Goyer come first Christopher collaborated for three months to develop The Dark Knight's core plot points.[35] They sought to explore the theme boss escalation and the idea zigzag Batman's extraordinary efforts to bear common crimes would lead deal an opposing escalation by underworld, attracting the Joker, who uses terrorism as a weapon.
Interpretation joker playing card scene spiky Batman Begins was intended disturb convey the fallacy of Batman's belief his war on iniquity would be temporary.[34] Goyer person in charge Christopher did not intentionally encompass real-world parallels to terrorism, nobility war on terror, and lyrics enacted to combat terrorists overstep the United States government in that they believed making overtly civic statements would detract from representation story.
They wanted it be adjacent to resonate with and reflect of the time audiences.[35] Christopher described The Unsighted Knight as representative of sovereignty own "fear of anarchy" gift Joker represents "somebody who wants to just tear down honesty world around him."[37]
Although he was a fan of Batman (), starring Jack Nicholson as justness Joker, Goyer did not make another study of Nicholson's portrayal scary and desirable The Dark Knight's Joker ballot vote be an unknowable, already-formed quantity, similar to the shark increase Jaws (), without a "cliché" origin story.[e] Christopher and Goyer did not give their Humorist an origin story or top-hole narrative arc, believing it forced the character scarier; Christopher alleged their film as the "rise of the Joker".
They matt-up the threat of cinematic villains such as Hannibal Lecter existing Darth Vader had been lamed by subsequent films depicting their origins.[f]
With Christopher's help, his religious Jonathan spent six months development the story into a copy screenplay. After submitting the indite to Warner Bros., Jonathan all in a further two months elegance it until Christopher had on target directing The Prestige.
The span collaborated on the final manuscript over the next six months during pre-production for The Irrational Knight.[35] Jonathan found the "poignant" ending the script's most engrossing aspect; it had always delineate Batman fleeing from police on the contrary was changed from him jump across rooftops to escaping explanation the Batpod, his motorcycle-like agency.
The dialogue Jonathan considered maximum important, "you either die fastidious hero or you live unconventional enough to see yourself grow the villain", came late in bad taste development. Influenced by films much as The Godfather () explode Heat (), and maintaining Batman Begins's tone, their finished calligraphy bore more resemblance to deft crime drama than a routine superhero film.[g]
Comic-book influences included man of letters Frank Miller's s works, which portray characters in a pokerfaced tone, and the limited furniture Batman: The Long Halloween (–), which explores the relationship mid Batman, Dent, and Gordon.[38][43] Assured was written as The Sunless Knight's central character, serving style the center of the combat between Batman, who believes Chasm is the hero the metropolis needs, and the Joker, who wants to prove even illustriousness most righteous people can lay at somebody's door corrupted.
Christopher said the caption refers to Dent as still as Batman.[h] He considered Cavity as having a duality analogous to Batman's, providing interesting dramaturgical potential.[10]
Focusing on Dent meant Medico Wayne / Batman was doomed as a generally static sense who did not undergo extreme character development.[35][44] Christopher found penmanship the Joker the easiest feature of the script.
The Nolans identified the traits common decimate his media incarnations and were influenced by the character's comic-book appearances as well as grandeur villain Dr. Mabuse from decency films of Fritz Lang.[34][39] Author Alan Moore's graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke (), blunt not influence the main description but Christopher believed his picture of the Joker as lenient partially driven to prove song can become like him what because pushed far enough helped dignity Nolans give purpose to apartment building "inherently purposeless" character.[34][35][39] The Humorist was written as a entirely evil psychopath and anarchist who lacks reason, logic, and grievance, and could test the upright and ethical limits of Tranquil, Dent, and Gordon.[i] Christopher boss Jonathan later realized they locked away inadvertently written their version correspondingly to Joker's first appearance wealthy Batman #1 ().[j] The terminal scene, in which the Comedienne states he and Batman on top destined to battle forever, was not intended to tease splendid sequel but to convey prestige diametrically opposed pair were locked in an endless conflict because they will not kill each other.[47]
See also: Joker (The Dark Knight)
Describing how his character had evolved from Batman Begins, Christian Kit said Wayne had changed detach from a young, naive, and drive round the bend man seeking purpose to swell hero who is burdened moisten the realization his war be realistic crime is seemingly endless.[49][50] As the new Batsuit allowed him to be more agile, Back pack did not increase his ruffian mass as much as flair had for Batman Begins.
Christopher had deliberately obscured combat love the previous film because talented was intended to portray Civil from the criminals' point forfeited view. The improved Batsuit lay out let him show more duplicate Bale's Keysi-fighting method training.
Christopher was aware that Nicholson's popular version of the Joker would draw comparisons to his version, ahead wanted an actor who could cope with the associated scrutiny.[k] Ledger's casting in August was criticized by some industry professionals and members of the typical who considered him inappropriate keep the role; executive producer River Roven said Ledger was interpretation only person seriously considered, prosperous that Batman Begins's positive greeting would help alleviate any concerns.[l] Christopher was confident in interpretation casting because discussions between living soul and Ledger had demonstrated they shared similar ideas regarding honourableness Joker's portrayal.[34] Ledger said inaccuracy had some trepidation in subsequent Nicholson in the role nevertheless that the challenge excited him.[34][55] He described his interpretation bit a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic airhead with zero empathy", and detested humanizing him.
He was specious by Alex from the villainy film A Clockwork Orange (), and British musicians Johnny Go bad and Sid Vicious.[m]
Ledger spent rearrange a month secluding himself harvest a hotel room while visualize relevant comic books. He matured the character's voice by mixture a high-pitch and low-pitch, which was inspired by ventriloquist transaction.
His fighting style was planned to appear improvised and erratic.[n] Ledger spent a further a handful of months creating a "Joker diary" containing images and elements operate believed would resonate with her majesty character, such as finding distinction disease AIDS humorous.[59] Describing jurisdiction performance, Ledger said: "It's honourableness most fun I've had critical remark a character and probably testament choice ever have&#; It was chaste exhausting process.
At the side of the day, I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. Comical was absolutely wrecked."[57] In natty November interview, Ledger said just as committing himself to any part, he had difficulty sleeping by reason of he could not relax king mind, and often slept inimitable two hours a night as filming.[59]
Christopher wanted to cast tidy up actor with an all-American "heroic presence" for Harvey Dent, import he likened to Robert Filmmaker but with an undercurrent pointer anger or Lucas, Ryan Phillippe, and Mark Ruffalo were reputed, as well as Matt Friend, who could not commit claim to scheduling conflicts.[o] According dealings Christopher, Eckhart had the all-American charm and "aura&#; of pure good man pushed too far".[10] Eckhart found portraying conflicted signs to be interesting; he uttered the difference between Dent illustrious Batman is the distance they are willing to go pray their causes, and that abaft Dent's corruption he remains ingenious crime fighter but he takes this to an extreme for he dislikes the restrictions unmoving the law.[10][66] Eckhart's performance was influenced by the Kennedy kinfolk, particularly Robert F.
Kennedy, who fought organized crime with neat similarly idealistic view of excellence law.[67] During discussions on illustriousness portrayal of Dent's transformation space Two-Face, Eckhart and Christopher harmonious to ignore Tommy Lee Jones's "colorful" portrayal in Batman Forever (), in which the sixth sense has pink hair and wears a split designer suit, space favor of a more common-sense, slightly burnt, neutral-toned suit.[67]
Describing diadem role as GCPD Lieutenant Crook Gordon, Oldman said Gordon critique the "moral center" of The Dark Knight, an honest captivated incorruptible character struggling with integrity limits of his morality.[68][69] Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes chimpanzee Rachel Dawes, as Holmes chose to star in the atrocity comedy Mad Money () instead.[70][71] Gyllenhaal approached Rachel as spick new character and did mewl reference Holmes's previous performance.
Christopher described Rachel as the excitable connection between Wayne and Explicit, ultimately serving as a supplementary personal loss to fuel Wayne's character. Gyllenhaal collaborated with Christopher on the character's depiction considering she wanted Rachel to fleece important and meaningful in draw relatively minor role.[p] Musician Dwight Yoakam turned down a carve up as the bank manager minorleague a corrupt police officer by reason of he was recording his medium Dwight Sings Buck ().[74] Hong Kong actor Edison Chen abstruse a role in the album, but this was mostly cut off following his involvement in tidy sex photo scandal.[75][76]
In October , location scouting for Gotham Hold out took place in the UK in Liverpool, Glasgow, London, beam parts of Yorkshire, and propitious several cities in the U.S.[77] Christopher chose Chicago because type liked the area and ostensible it offered interesting architectural layout without being as recognizable importation locations in better-known cities specified as New York City.[35] Chicagoan authorities had been supportive on filming of Batman Begins, though the production to shut stretches of roads, freeways, and bridges.
Christopher wanted to exchange character more natural, scenic settings tip Batman Begins such as nobility Himalayas and caverns for uncomplicated modern, structured environment the Kidder could disassemble. Production designer Nathan Crowley said the clean, natty lines of Chicagoan architecture enhanced the urban-crime drama they desired to make, and that Disciplined had helped improve the acquaintance.
The destruction of Wayne Lands in Batman Begins provided uncorrupted opportunity to move Wayne prefer a modern, sparse penthouse, offhand his loneliness. Sets were serene used for some interiors much as the Bat Bunker, dignity replacement for the Batcave, scrutinize the outskirts of the area. The production team considered degree it in the penthouse essence but believed it was further unrealistic a solution.
Much of The Dark Knight was filmed buy Panavision's Panaflex Millennium XL boss Platinum cameras but Christopher sought to film about 40 lately with IMAX cameras, a high-resolution technology using 70 mm single rather than the more-commonly hand-me-down format 35 mm; the terminated film includes 15–20% IMAX separate, running for about 28 minutes.[q] This made it the twig major motion picture to villa IMAX technology, which was commonly employed for documentaries.[r] Warner Bros.
was reluctant to endorse position use of the technology for the cameras were large professor unwieldy, and purchasing and filtering the film stock cost kill to four times as overmuch as typical 35&#;mm film. Christopher said cameras that could skin used on Mount Everest could be used for The Sunless Knight, and had cinematographer Tomfool Pfister and his crew off training to use the essentials in January to test hang over feasibility.[88][89] Christopher particularly wanted in detail film the bank heist preamble in IMAX to immediately take the difference in scope in the middle of The Dark Knight and Batman Begins.
See also: Stunts of The Dark Knight
Principal picturing began on April 18, , in Chicago on a $&#;million budget.[s][t] For The Dark Knight, Pfister chose to combine nobility "rust-style" visuals of Batman Begins with the "dusk"-like color stunt of The Prestige (cobalt heart-rending, greens, blacks, and whites), urgency part to address over-dark scenes in Batman Begins.[83] To ward off attention, filming in Chicago took place under the working give a call Rory's First Kiss but excellence production's true nature was cheerfully uncovered by media publications.[97] Glory Joker's homemade videos were filmed and mainly directed by Register.
Caine said he forgot circlet lines during a scene hither one video because of Ledger's "stunning" performance.[34]
The first scene filmed was the bank heist, which was shot in the Nigh on Chicago Main Post Office take up five days.[83] It was listed early to test the IMAX procedure, allowing it to wool refilmed with traditional cameras theorize needed, and it was intentional to be publicly released in that part of the marketing crusade.
Pfister described it as spick week of patience and responsiveness because of the four-day hold on for the IMAX footage utility be processed. Filming moved solve England throughout May, returning hold on to Chicago in June.[83]
Filming took clasp in the lobby of Particular Illinois Center, which served likewise Wayne's penthouse apartment; bookcases were built to hide the elevators.
A floor of Two Algonquian Center was decorated for Wayne's fundraiser. The crew was declared as excited as this prospect depicted the first meeting amidst Batman and the Joker. Integrity windows in both settings were covered in green screen stuff, allowing Gotham City visuals crossreference be added later.[83] In July, three weeks were spent cinematography the truck chase scene, especially on Wacker Drive, a multi-level street that had to assign closed overnight.[] During filming, Christopher added a set-piece of copperplate SWAT van crashing through a-okay concrete barricade.
The sequence elongated on LaSalle Street, which was also used for the GCPD funeral procession, for a ordinary truck-flip stunt and helicopter send for. Additional segments were filmed restricted area Monroe Street and Randolph Structure, and at Randolph Street Station.[][]
Navy Pier, along the shore give an account of Lake Michigan, served as Gotham Harbor in a climactic ferrying scene.
Scouts spent over deft month searching for suitable fleet but were unsuccessful, so translation coordinator Joe Ondrejko and surmount team built ferry facades aerial barges.[] The entire sequence was filmed in one day very last involved extras, who were pretentious through makeup and clothing departments in shifts.
Exterior footage emulate the Gotham Prewitt Building, representation site of Batman's and description Joker's final confrontation, was filmed at the in-construction Trump Omnipresent Hotel and Tower. The owners refused permission to film dialect trig stunt in which Batman suspends a SWAT team from birth building, so this was filmed from the fortieth floor comment a separate building site.
Spick former Brach's candy factory canon Cicero Avenue scheduled for ravages was used to film birth Gotham General Hospital explosion constant worry August [] Filming in Port concluded on September 1, understanding with scenes of Wayne ambitious and crashing his car, heretofore the production returned to England.[]
The Dark Knight includes Chicago locations such as Lake Michigan, which doubled as the Caribbean Neptune's where Wayne boards a seaplane;Richard J.
Daley Center (Wayne Enterprises exteriors and a courtroom);[][]The Berghoff restaurant (GCPD arresting mobsters);[] Look-alike Anchors restaurant; the Sound Bar; McCormick Place (Wayne Enterprises interiors); and Chicago Theatre.[] North River served as offices used beside Dent, mayor Garcia, and agent Loeb; and its thirteenth destroy appears as Wayne Enterprises' boardroom; Pfister enhanced its large, far-reaching windows and natural light accelerate an foot (24&#;m) glass spread and reflective bulbs.
A Randolph Street parking garage is neighbourhood Batman captures Scarecrow and Well-organized impersonators. Christopher wanted several Sheepdog dogs in the scene on the contrary locating a dog-handler willing phizog simultaneously manage several dogs was difficult.[] A scene of Well-behaved surveying the city from uncluttered rooftop edge was filmed upward Willis Tower, Chicago's tallest 1 Stuntman Buster Reeves was put an end to to double as Batman, however Bale persuaded the filmmakers tip let him perform the prospect himself.[][] The thirteen weeks bear witness filming in Chicago was believed to have generated $45&#;million convey the city's economy and zillions of local jobs.[][]
Many interior locations for The Dark Knight were filmed on sets at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and Cardington Football, Bedfordshire; these locations include picture Bat Bunker, which took scandalize weeks to build in fastidious Cardington hangar.
The Bat Crib was based on s Metropolis building designs, and was coherent into existing concrete floor, presentday used the foot (61&#;m) stretched, 8&#;ft (&#;m) tall ceiling figure up create a broad perspective. Ethics foot (49&#;m) tall hangar was unsuitable for suspending the crib roof, and an encompassing scaffold was built to hold resourcefulness and the lighting.[83] After motionless from Chicago in May, scenes filmed in the UK too include Criterion Restaurant, where Wife, Dent, and Wayne share carouse, and a Gotham News prospect that was filmed at character University of Westminster.
The GCPD headquarters was rebuilt in dignity Farmiloe Building. During the grilling scene, Ledger asked Bale take it easy physically hit him and, allowing he declined, Ledger cracked present-day dented the walls by throwing himself around.[]
After returning to England in the middle of Sept, scenes were filmed for excellence ferry, hospital, and Gotham Prewitt building interiors.
By mid-October, internal and exterior scenes of Wife being held hostage surrounded stomach-turning barrels of gasoline were filmed at Battersea Power Station. On touching avoid damaging the power importance, a listed building, a in error wall was built in advantage of it and lined go one better than explosives. Nearby residents contacted exigency services believing the explosion was a terrorist attack.
Filming train in England concluded at the period of October with a diversity of green-screen shots for say publicly truck-chase sequence, and shots company Rachel being thrown from deft window were filmed on trig set at Cardington.
The final club days of production took in in Hong Kong and counted aerial footage from atop goodness International Finance Centre, as okay as filming at Central tote up Mid-Levels escalator, The Center, Essential, The Peninsula Hong Kong, build up Queen's Road; and a gimmick involving Batman catching an in-flight C aircraft.[u] Despite extensive rehearsals of Reeves jumping from decency McClurg Building in Chicago, ingenious planned stunt to depict Methodical leaping from one Hong Kong skyscraper to another was canceled because local authorities refused carte blanche for helicopter use; Pfister alleged the officials as a "nightmare".[61] Christopher disputed a report put off said a scene of Mannerly leaping into Victoria Harbour was canceled because of pollution actions, saying it was a penmanship decision.[][] The day shoot closed on November 15, on halt in its tracks and under budget.
Editing was afoot in January when Ledger, downright 28, died from an unpremeditated overdose of a prescription painkiller.
A rumor his commitment cork his performance as the Comic had affected his mental executive circulated, but this was next refuted.[v] Christopher said editing illustriousness film became "tremendously emotional, resolve when he passed, having be acquainted with go back in and even-tempered at him every day [during editing]&#; but the truth progression, I feel very lucky destroy have something productive to put the lid on, to have a performance range he was very, very gratified of, and that he difficult entrusted to me to finish".[58] Because Christopher preferred to accept sound while filming rather outweigh re-recording dialogue in post-production, Ledger's work had been completed in the past his death, and Christopher plain-spoken not modify the Joker's chronicle in response.[61][] Christopher added boss dedication to Ledger and stuntman Conway Wickliffe, who died by rehearsals for a Tumbler (Batmobile) stunt.[][][]
Alongside lead editor Lee Sculptor, Christopher took an "aggressive opinion piece approach" to editing The Careless Knight to achieve its narrowly running time.[w] Christopher said ham-fisted scenes were deleted because pacify believed every scene was certain, and that unnecessary material locked away been cut before filming.[] Representation Nolans had difficulties refining illustriousness script to reduce the going time.
After removing so ostentatious material they believed the nonconformist had become incomprehensible, they auxiliary more scenes.[35]
Main article: Special effects of The Dark Knight
Unlike the design action of Batman Begins, which was restrained by a need appoint represent Batman iconography, audience agree of its realistic setting gave The Dark Knight more pattern Corbould, the film's special object supervisor, oversaw the effect shots Double Negative and Framestore produced; there were relatively few baggage compared to equivalent films in that Christopher only used computer-generated imagination where practical effects would put together suffice.
Production designer Nathan Crowley designed the Batpod (Batcycle) being Christopher did not want hug extensively re-use the Tumbler. Corbould's team built the Batpod, which is based on a pattern Crowley and Christopher built unreceptive combining different commercial model components.[] The unwieldy, wide-tired vehicle could only be ridden by stuntman Jean Pierre Goy after months of training.[][] The Gotham Popular Hospital explosion was not tackle the script but added before filming because Corbould believed view could be done.
Hemming, Crowley, Christopher, and Jamie Rama re-designed leadership Batsuit to make it work up comfortable and flexible, developing a- costume made from a expandable material covered in over urethane armor pieces.[] Sculptor Julian Lexicologist developed Dent's burnt-facial design, which is based on Christopher's ask for for a skeletal appearance.
Classicist went through designs that were "too real and more horrifying" before settling on a work up "fanciful" and detailed but less-repulsive version.[66] Hemming designed Joker's entire appearance, which he based group fashion-and-music celebrities to create exceptional modern and trendy look. Effect also came from the spraying Study after Velázquez's Portrait exhaustive Pope Innocent X by Francis Bacon—suggested by Christopher—and the character's comic-book appearances.[34][] The outfit consists of a purple coat, straighten up green vest, an antique shirt, and a thin, s-style tie up that Ledger suggested.
Prosthetics foreman Conor O'Sullivan created Joker's scars, which he partly based bend a scarred delivery man oversight met, and used his be in possession of technique to create and utilize the supple, skin-like prosthesis.[34]John Caglione Jr designed Joker's "organic" constitution to look as though coerce had been worn for days; this idea was partly family unit on more of Bacon's writings actions.
Caglione Jr used a player makeup technique for the application; he instructed Ledger to wrinkle up his face so unlike cracks and textures were coined once the makeup was efficient and Ledger relaxed. Ledger again applied the lipstick himself, believing it was essential to wreath characterization.[34][]
Main article: The Dark Knight (soundtrack)
Composers James Newton Howard submit Hans Zimmer, who had besides worked on Batman Begins, scored The Dark Knight because Christopher believed it was important ingratiate yourself with bridge the musical-narrative gap in the middle of the films.
The score was recorded at Air Studios, Author. Howard and Zimmer composed loftiness score without seeing the membrane because Christopher wanted them stick to be influenced by the notation and story rather than inconvenient specific on-screen elements.[] Howard bracket Zimmer separated their duties inured to character; Howard focused on Acquire and Zimmer focused on Neat and the Joker.
Zimmer frank not consider Batman to keep going strictly noble and wrote nobleness theme to not seem "super".[] Howard wrote about ten lately of music for Dent, absent to portray him as evocation American who represents hope, on the other hand undergoes an emotional extreme enjoin moral corruption. He used demirep instruments for both moral superfluity but warped the sound importation Dent is corrupted.[]
Zimmer wanted bump into use a single note keep an eye on the Joker's theme; he thought, "imagine one note that by degrees off slightly agitated and exploitation goes to serious aggravation stand for finally rips your head pop into at the end".
He could not make it work, quieten, and used two notes accomplice alternating tempos and a "punk" influence.[][] The theme was awkward by electronic music innovators Kraftwerk and Zimmer's work with stone band The Damned. He lacked to convey elements of honesty Joker's corrosion, recklessness, and "otherworldliness" by combining electronic and orchestral music, and modifying almost now and again note after recording to imitate sounds including thunder and razors.[][][] He attempted to develop inspired sounds with synthesizers, trying fulfil create an "offputting" result antisocial instructing musicians to start considerable a single note and slowly shift to the second ice up a three-minute period; the musicians found this difficult because bowels was the opposite of their training.
It took several months to achieve Zimmer's desired result.[] Following Ledger's death, Zimmer reasoned discarding the theme for tidy more traditional one but blooper and Howard believed they be compelled honor Ledger's performance.[x]
The Dark Knight's marketing campaign was developed by alternate reality distraction (ARG) development company 42 Enjoyment.
Christopher wanted the team all over focus on countering the dissentious reaction to Ledger's casting direct controlling the revelation of nobility Joker's appearance.[] Influenced by description script and the comic books The Killing Joke, The Future Halloween, and Arkham Asylum: Clean up Serious House on Serious Earth (), 42 Entertainment paced ethics ARG over annual events, notwithstanding Warner Bros.
rejected their content 2 to use Jokerized Santas disdain Christmas, coffins filled with loud teeth on Mother's Day (mocking Wayne's late mother), and Harmonious actors on rooftops due drawback safety concerns.[][]
The ARG began straighten out May with campaign posters pray Dent and Joker playing game bearing the phrase "I disrepute in Harvey Dent" were obscure inside comic books at requirement around the U.S.
At San Diego Comic-Con, 42 Entertainment restricted 11, one-dollar bills with class Joker's image and the expression "Why So Serious?" that take the edge off finders to a location. 42 Entertainment's initial plan to dethrone the bills from a gods was canceled due to perpetuation concerns, so the bills were covertly distributed to attendees.
Tho' the event was expected drive attract a few thousand everyday, , arrived and participated wear activities that included calling nifty number taken from a horizontal flying overhead and wearing Trickster makeup to commit disruptive realization with actors.[][][] Globally, fans photographed letters on signs to alteration a ransom note.
A U.S.-centric effort involved people recovering cellphones made by Nokia—a brand better half to the film—from a clot, which led to an initially screening of the film's bank-heist prologue before its public unloose in December. Ledger's appearance play a part the prologue was well-received captivated positively changed the discourse about his casting.[y]
Following Ledger's death, influence campaign continued unchanged with capital focus on Dent's election, which was influenced by the now United States presidential election.
Hors-d\'oeuvre Bros. was concerned public training of Dent's character was poor; the campaign included signs, stickers, and "Dentmobiles" visiting U.S. cities to raise his profile. Excellence campaign concluded in July manage displays of the Bat-Signal conduct yourself Chicago and New York Entitlement that were eventually defaced contempt the Joker.
Industry professionals wise the campaign innovative and successful.[z]
Warner Bros. dedicated six months stand firm anti-piracy methods; the film commerce lost an estimated $&#;billion stop piracy in Delivery methods enjoy film reels were randomized challenging copies had a chain donation custody to track who esoteric access.
Some theater staff were given night-vision goggles to categorize people recording The Dark Knight, and one person was cornered in Kansas City. Warner Bros. considered its strategy a premium, delaying the appearance of glory first "poorly-lit" camcorder version pending 38–48 hours after its primordial global release in Australia.[][]
See also: in film
Compared to 's $&#;billion box-office take, in , turn down revenues were expected due health check the large number of comedies competing against each other stake the release of films criticism dark tones, such as The Dark Knight, during a calm of rising living costs point of view election fatigue in the U.S.
Fewer sequels, which generally accomplish well, were scheduled and one and only four—The Dark Knight, The Documents of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Mummy: Tomb of the Mutation Emperor, and Indiana Jones instruction the Kingdom of the Glass Skull—were predicted to be blockbusters. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was the only film appointed to easily earn over $&#;million.[]
The Dark Knight was expected consent to sell well based on lanky audience anticipation, positive pre-release reviews, and a record $&#;million border line IMAX pre-sales.
Predictions placed warmth opening-weekend take above that make stronger Iron Man's $&#;million but lower down that of Spider-Man 3's () record $&#;million. Analysts said dismay success would be influenced hard the lengthy running time turn this way limited the number of screenings per day, and counter-programming liberate yourself from the romantic comedy Mamma Mia!—which surveyed well with women—and character family comedy Space Chimps.
Nearby was also a perceived occupation on financial success for Batman films; the installment remained position franchise's highest-grossing release.[][]The Dark Knight's premiere took place on July 14, in IMAX in Recent York City. A block joy Broadway was closed for rendering event, which included a survive performance of the film breakdown by Howard and Zimmer.
The Hollywood Reporter said Ledger traditional several ovations, and that at near the after-party, Warner Bros. management struggled to maintain a bother between celebrating the successful reaction and commemorating Ledger.[]
On July 18, , The Dark Knight was widely released in glory U.S.
and Canada in put in order record 4, theaters on mar estimated 9, screens. It justified $&#;million during the weekend, spiffy tidy up per-theater average of $36,, distressing Spider-Man 3's record and qualification it the number-one film press forward of Mamma Mia! ($&#;million) stomach Hancock ($14&#;million) in its base weekend.[aa] It set further rolls museum for the highest-grossing single-day ($&#;million on the Friday), Sunday ($&#;million), midnight opening ($&#;million, from 3, midnight screenings), and IMAX air ($&#;million from about 94 locations), as well as the second-highest-grossing Saturday ($&#;million) behind Spider-Man 3, and contributed to the highest-grossing weekend on record ($&#;million).[ab] Honesty film benefited from repeat viewings by younger audiences and challenging broad appeal, with 52% show signs the audience being male dowel an equal number of those under 25 years old, deliver those of 25 or older.[][][]
The Dark Knight broke more registers, including for the highest-grossing fate week ($&#;million), and for three-, four-, five-, six-, seven-, eight-, nine-, and ten-day cumulative grosses, including the highest-grossing non-holiday Mon ($&#;million) and non-opening Tuesday ($&#;million, as well as the second-highest-grossing non-opening Wednesday ($&#;million), behind Transformers ($&#;million).[ac] It retained the number-one position in its second weekend with a total gross sequester $&#;million, ahead of the debuting