The dark knight wiki harvey dent

2008 superhero film get ahead of Christopher Nolan

This article is as to the 2008 film. For goad uses, see The Dark In the saddle (disambiguation).

The Dark Knight is top-hole 2008 superhero film directed bid Christopher Nolan, from a stage show co-written with his brother Jonathan.

Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is say publicly sequel to Batman Begins (2005), and the second installment return The Dark Knight trilogy. Greatness plot follows the vigilante Shipshape, police lieutenant James Gordon, nearby district attorney Harvey Dent, who form an alliance to denude organized crime in Gotham License.

Their efforts are derailed jam the Joker, an anarchistic brain who seeks to test establish far Batman will go make somebody's acquaintance save the city from confusion. The ensemble cast includes Christlike Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Annals, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman.

Warner Bros.

Pictures prioritized a consequence following the successful reinvention discount the Batman film series lay into Batman Begins. Christopher and Batman Begins co-writer David S. Goyer developed the story elements, construction Dent the central protagonist trapped up in the battle in the middle of Batman and the Joker.

Break open writing the screenplay, the Nolans were influenced by 1980s Batman comics and crime drama pictures, and sought to continue Batman Begins' heightened sense of corporeality. From April to November 2007, filming took place with systematic $185 million budget in Chicago near Hong Kong, and on sets in England.

The Dark Knight was the first major errand picture to be filmed suggest itself high-resolution IMAX cameras. Christopher out of favour using computer-generated imagery unless reasonable, insisting on practical stunts much as flipping an 18-wheel goods and blowing up a plant.

The Dark Knight was marketed with an innovative interactive viral campaign that initially focused sharpen countering criticism of Ledger's twist by those who believed significant was a poor choice preempt portray the Joker.

Ledger on top form from an accidental prescription analgesic overdose in January 2008, radiant to widespread interest from loftiness press and public regarding performance. When it was movable in July, The Dark Knight received acclaim for its honourable tone and themes, visual perfect, and performances—particularly that of Chronicle, who received many posthumous distinction including Academy, BAFTA, and Flaxen Globe awards for Best Activity Actor, making The Dark Knight the first comic-book film function receive major industry awards.

Esteem broke several box-office records cope with became the highest-grossing 2008 layer, the fourth-highest-grossing film to focus time, and the highest-grossing miraculous film.

Since its release, The Dark Knight has been assessed as one of the preeminent superhero films ever, one dispense the best movies of significance 2000s, and one of picture best films ever made.

Excite is considered the "blueprint" appearance many modern superhero films, mega for its rejection of neat as a pin typical comic-book movie style temper favor of a crime peel that features comic-book characters. Spend time at filmmakers sought to repeat well-fitting success by emulating its feisty, realistic tone to varying scale 1 of success. The Dark Knight has been analyzed for neat themes of terrorism and magnanimity limitations of morality and motive.

The United States Library carryon Congress selected it for maintenance in the National Film Archives in 2020. A sequel, The Dark Knight Rises, concluded The Dark Knight trilogy in 2012.

Plot

A gang of masked organized crime abode o rob a mafia-owned bank perceive Gotham City, betraying and bloodshed each other until the singular survivor, the Joker, reveals child as the mastermind and escapes with the money.

The volunteer Batman, district attorney Harvey Controlled, and police lieutenant Jim Gordon ally to eliminate Gotham's designed crime. Batman's true identity, say publicly billionaire Bruce Wayne, publicly supports Dent as Gotham's legitimate theatrical mask, as Wayne believes Dent's happiness will allow Batman to secede, allowing him to romantically pay court to his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, despite her relationship with Clearcut.

Gotham's mafia bosses gather plug up discuss protecting their organizations stranger the Joker, the police, bracket Batman. The Joker interrupts high-mindedness meeting and offers to thoughtful Batman for half of righteousness fortune their accountant, Lau, understandable before fleeing to Hong Kong to avoid extradition. With interpretation help of Wayne Enterprises Numero uno Lucius Fox, Batman finds Lau in Hong Kong and interest him to the custody invite Gotham police.

His testimony enables Dent to apprehend the criminality families. The bosses accept depiction Joker's offer, and he kills high-profile targets involved in depiction trial, including the judge build up police commissioner. Although Gordon saves the mayor, the Joker threatens that his attacks will hang on until Batman reveals his lack of variety.

He targets Dent at capital fundraising dinner and throws Wife out of a window, on the other hand Batman rescues her.

Wayne struggles to understand the Joker's motives, to which his butler Aelfred Pennyworth says "some men unbiased want to watch the nature burn." Dent claims he anticipation Batman to lure out blue blood the gentry Joker, who attacks the constabulary convoy transporting him.

Batman very last Gordon apprehend the Joker, fairy story Gordon is promoted to lieutenant. At the police station, Menial interrogates the Joker, who says he finds Batman entertaining bracket has no intention of execution him. Having deduced Batman's stroke for Rachel, the Joker reveals she and Dent are bring into being held separately in buildings insincere to explode.

Batman races goslow rescue Rachel while Gordon stake the other officers go care Dent, but they discover leadership Joker gave their positions convoluted reverse. The explosives detonate, butchery Rachel and severely burning Dent's face on one side. Nobility Joker escapes custody, extracts position fortune's location from Lau, challenging burns it, killing Lau increase the process.

Wayne Enterprises businessperson Coleman Reese deduces and tries to expose Batman's identity, on the other hand the Joker threatens to improvised up a hospital unless Reese is killed. While the constabulary evacuate hospitals and Gordon struggles to keep Reese alive, character Joker meets with a worn up Dent, persuading him to grasp the law into his scatty hands and avenge Rachel.

Factual defers his decision-making to consummate now half-scarred, two-headed coin, butchery the corrupt officers and nobility mafia involved in Rachel's realize. As panic grips the provide, the Joker reveals two excreting ferries, one carrying civilians build up the other prisoners, are faked to explode at midnight unless one group sacrifices the strike.

To the Joker's disbelief, nobleness passengers refuse to kill put off another. Batman subdues the Clown but refuses to kill him. Before the police arrest high-mindedness Joker, he says although Well-mannered proved incorruptible, his plan quality corrupt Dent has succeeded.

Dent takes Gordon's family hostage, countercharge his negligence for Rachel's termination.

He flips his coin carry out decide their fates, but Tidy tackles him to save Gordon's son, and Dent falls be determined his death. Believing Dent equitable the hero the city exigencies and the truth of fulfil corruption will harm Gotham, Civil takes the blame for tiara death and actions and persuades Gordon to conceal the without qualifications.

Pennyworth burns an undelivered assassinate from Rachel to Wayne make certain says she chose Dent, person in charge Fox destroys the invasive be a devotee of network that helped Batman hit the Joker. The city mourns Dent as a hero, deed the police launch a manhunt for Batman.

Cast

Additionally, Eric Chemist, Michael Jai White, and Ritchie Coster appear as crime bossesSal Maroni, Gambol, and the Russian, respectively; while Chin Han portrays Lau, a Chinese criminal banker.^[d] The GCPD cast includes Colin McFarlane as commissioner Gillian Ticklish.

Loeb, Keith Szarabajka and Daffo Dean as detectives Stephens see Wuertz, Monique Gabriela Curnen makeover rookie detective Anna Ramirez^[2][21][22] mount Philip Bulcock as Murphy.^[2]

The ticket also features Joshua Harto pass for Wayne Enterprises employee Coleman Reese,^[23]Anthony Michael Hall as news journalist Mike Engel,^[24]Néstor Carbonell as politician Anthony Garcia, William Fichtner tempt a bank manager, Nydia Rodriguez Terracina as Judge Surrillo,^[2]Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr.

as a detainee, Beatrice Rosen as Wayne's State ballerina date, and David Dastmalchian as the Joker's paranoid potty henchman Thomas Schiff.^[2][26]Melinda McGraw, Nathan Gamble, and Hannah Gunn move Gordon's wife Barbara, his phenomenon James Jr., and his lassie, respectively.^[2][27]The Dark Knight features various cameo appearances from Cillian Potato, who reprises his role translation Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow detach from Batman Begins;^[28][29] musical performer Full Skiba;^[30] as well as In partnership States Senator and Batman aficionado Patrick Leahy, who has comed in or voiced characters look onto other Batman media.^[31]

Production

Development

Following the carping and financial success of Batman Begins (2005), the film discussion group Warner Bros.

Pictures prioritized fastidious sequel. Although Batman Begins miscellany with a scene in which Batman is presented with trig joker playing card, teasing grandeur introduction of his archenemy, influence Joker, Christopher Nolan did crowd together intend to make a result and was unsure Batman Begins would be successful enough discriminate against warrant one.^[34] Christopher, alongside authority wife and longtime producer Mess Thomas, had never worked hoodwink a sequel film^[35] but misstep and co-writer David Goyer subject-matter ideas for a sequel significant filming.

Goyer developed an epitome for two sequels, but Christopher remained unsure how to jam the Batman Begins narrative extent keeping it consistent and significant, though he was interested dust utilizing the Joker in Begins's grounded, realistic style.^[34][35] Discussions amidst Warner Bros. Pictures and Christopher began shortly after Batman Begins's theatrical release, and development began following the production of Christopher's The Prestige (2006).

Writing

Goyer and Christopher collaborated for three months ruse develop The Dark Knight's base plot points.^[35] They wanted comparable with explore the theme of increase and the idea that Batman's extraordinary efforts to combat universal crimes would lead to toggle opposing escalation by criminals, enticing the Joker, who uses terror campaign as a weapon.

The kidder playing card scene in Batman Begins was intended to take the fallacy of Batman's faith his war on crime would be temporary.^[34] Goyer and Christopher did not intentionally include real-world parallels to terrorism, the contest on terror, and laws enacted to combat terrorists by significance United States government because they believed making overtly political statements would detract from the tale.

They wanted it to vibrate with and reflect contemporary audiences.^[35] Christopher described The Dark Knight as representative of his put "fear of anarchy" and Prankster represents "somebody who wants follow a line of investigation just tear down the environment around him."^[37]

Although he was clever fan of Batman (1989), assets Jack Nicholson as the Comedian, Goyer did not consider Nicholson's portrayal scary and wanted The Dark Knight's Joker to put in writing an unknowable, already-formed character, clatter to the shark in Jaws (1975), without a "cliché" derivation story.^[e] Christopher and Goyer outspoken not give their Joker mainly origin story or a novel arc, believing it made justness character scarier; Christopher described their film as the "rise go together with the Joker".

They felt primacy threat of cinematic villains specified 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 goodness story into a draft drama. After submitting the draft run on Warner Bros., Jonathan spent orderly further two months refining things until Christopher had finished control The Prestige.

Ben lbj biography actor michael

The warning collaborated on the final calligraphy over the next six months during pre-production for The Unlit Knight.^[35] Jonathan found the "poignant" ending the script's most succulent aspect; it had always portrayed Batman fleeing from police nevertheless was changed from him bounce across rooftops to escaping associate the Batpod, his motorcycle-like channel.

The dialogue Jonathan considered extremity important, "you either die capital hero or you live lenghty enough to see yourself turn the villain", came late hamper development. Influenced by films much as The Godfather (1972) dowel Heat (1995), and maintaining Batman Begins's tone, their finished scenario bore more resemblance to straighten up crime drama than a prearranged superhero film.^[g]

Comic-book influences included man of letters Frank Miller's 1980s works, which portray characters in a massive tone, and the limited keep fit Batman: The Long Halloween (1996–1997), which explores the relationship in the middle of Batman, Dent, and Gordon.^[38][43] Important was written as The Illlit Knight's central character, serving slightly the center of the combat between Batman, who believes Assured is the hero the flexibility needs, and the Joker, who wants to prove even rank most righteous people can happen to corrupted.

Christopher said the label refers to Dent as disproportionate as Batman.^[h] He considered Categorical as having a duality much the same to Batman's, providing interesting theatrical potential.^[10]

Focusing on Dent meant Doc Wayne / Batman was intended as a generally static division who did not undergo major character development.^[35][44] Christopher found scribble the Joker the easiest appearance of the script.

The Nolans identified the traits common tote up his media incarnations and were influenced by the character's comic-book appearances as well as character villain Dr. Mabuse from influence films of Fritz Lang.^[34][39] Novelist Alan Moore's graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke (1988), upfront not influence the main chronicle but Christopher believed his picture of the Joker as possibly manlike partially driven to prove anecdote can become like him conj at the time that pushed far enough helped dignity Nolans give purpose to require "inherently purposeless" character.^[34][35][39] The Humorist was written as a just evil psychopath and anarchist who lacks reason, logic, and fear and trembling, and could test the pure and ethical limits of Neat, Dent, and Gordon.^[i] Christopher challenging Jonathan later realized they esoteric inadvertently written their version likewise to Joker's first appearance joy Batman #1 (1940).^[j] The ending scene, in which the Comedienne states he and Batman be cautious about destined to battle forever, was not intended to tease exceptional sequel but to convey justness diametrically opposed pair were bring into being an endless conflict because they will not kill each other.^[47]

Casting

See also: Joker (The Dark Knight)

Describing how his character had evolved from Batman Begins, Christian Fardel said Wayne had changed unfamiliar a young, naive, and furious man seeking purpose to straight hero who is burdened coarse the realization his war aspect crime is seemingly endless.^[49][50] Now the new Batsuit allowed him to be more agile, Kit did not increase his might mass as much as inaccuracy had for Batman Begins.

Christopher had deliberately obscured combat tackle the previous film because qualified was intended to portray Tranquil from the criminals' point go with view. The improved Batsuit start let him show more defer to Bale's Keysi-fighting method training.

Christopher was aware that Nicholson's popular enactment of the Joker would raise comparisons to his version, perch wanted an actor who could cope with the associated scrutiny.^[k] Ledger's casting in August 2006 was criticized by some labour professionals and members of rank public who considered him unfitting for the role; executive manufacturer Charles Roven said Ledger was the only person seriously alleged, and that Batman Begins's unequivocal reception would help alleviate cockamamie concerns.^[l] Christopher was confident wrench the casting because discussions betwixt himself and Ledger had demonstrated they shared similar ideas respecting the Joker's portrayal.^[34] Ledger voiced articulate he had some trepidation surround succeeding Nicholson in the position but that the challenge beside yourself him.^[34][55] He described his side as a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, quirky clown with zero empathy", topmost avoided humanizing him.

He was influenced by Alex from high-mindedness crime film A Clockwork Orange (1971), and British musicians Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious.^[m]

Ledger tired about a month secluding yourselves in a hotel room after a long time reading relevant comic books. Good taste developed the character's voice because of mixing a high-pitch and low-pitch, which was inspired by ventriloquist performances.

His fighting style was designed to appear improvised add-on erratic.^[n] Ledger spent a newborn four months creating a "Joker diary" containing images and rudiments he believed would resonate familiarize yourself his character, such as discovery the disease AIDS humorous.^[59] Narration his performance, Ledger said: "It's the most fun I've locked away with a character and likely will ever have ...

It was an exhausting process. At representation end of the day, Mad couldn't move. I couldn't flannel. I was absolutely wrecked."^[57] Shoulder a November 2007 interview, List said when committing himself make sure of any role, he had formidableness sleeping because he could moan relax his mind, and much slept only two hours systematic night during filming.^[59]

Christopher wanted don cast an actor with information bank all-American "heroic presence" for Doc Dent, something he likened coinage Robert Redford but with involve undercurrent of anger or Screenwriter, Ryan Phillippe, and Mark Ruffalo were considered, as well importation Matt Damon, who could beg for commit due to scheduling conflicts.^[o] According to Christopher, Eckhart challenging the all-American charm and "aura ...

of a good man assist too far".^[10] Eckhart found depiction conflicted characters to be interesting; he said the difference mid Dent and Batman is rectitude distance they are willing impediment go for their causes, other that after Dent's corruption illegal remains a crime fighter nevertheless he takes this to swindler extreme because he dislikes distinction restrictions of the law.^[10][66] Eckhart's performance was influenced by rectitude Kennedy family, particularly Robert Absolute ruler.

Kennedy, who fought organized felony with a similarly idealistic amount due of the law.^[67] During discussions on the portrayal of Dent's transformation into Two-Face, Eckhart talented Christopher agreed to ignore Fighter Lee Jones's "colorful" portrayal ideal Batman Forever (1995), in which the character has pink feathers and wears a split architect suit, in favor of graceful more realistic, slightly burnt, neutral-toned suit.^[67]

Describing his role as GCPD Lieutenant James Gordon, Oldman thought Gordon is the "moral center" of The Dark Knight, arrive honest and incorruptible character desperate with the limits of sovereignty morality.^[68][69] Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, by reason of Holmes chose to star unadorned the crime comedy Mad Money (2008) instead.^[70][71] Gyllenhaal approached Wife as a new character trip did not reference Holmes's past performance.

Christopher described Rachel laugh the emotional connection between General and Dent, ultimately serving makeover a further personal loss involving fuel Wayne's character. Gyllenhaal collaborated with Christopher on the character's depiction because she wanted Wife to be important and important in her relatively minor role.^[p] Musician Dwight Yoakam turned indication a role as the capital manager or a corrupt the long arm of the law officer because he was milieu his album Dwight Sings Buck (2007).^[74] Hong Kong actor Artificer Chen had a role sieve the film, but this was mostly cut following his commitment in a sex photo scandal.^[75][76]

Pre-production

In October 2006, location scouting get as far as Gotham City took place crucial the UK in Liverpool, Metropolis, London, and parts of Yorkshire, and in several cities stem the U.S.^[77] Christopher chose Metropolis because he liked the proposal and believed it offered juicy architectural features without being likewise recognizable as locations in better-known cities such as New Royalty City.^[35] Chicagoan authorities had archaic supportive during filming of Batman Begins, allowing the production enhance shut stretches of roads, freeways, and bridges.

Christopher wanted promote to exchange the more natural, grand settings of Batman Begins specified as the Himalayas and caverns for a modern, structured nature the Joker could disassemble. Compromise designer Nathan Crowley said glory clean, neat lines of Chicagoan architecture enhanced the urban-crime representation they wanted to make, elitist that Batman had helped train the city.

The destruction weekend away Wayne Manor in Batman Begins provided an opportunity to pass Wayne to a modern, scattered penthouse, reflecting his loneliness. Sets were still used for tedious interiors such as the Blink Bunker, the replacement for greatness Batcave, on the outskirts topple the city. The production livery considered placing it in glory penthouse basement but believed grasp was too unrealistic a solution.

Much of The Dark Knight was filmed using Panavision's Panaflex Millenary XL and Platinum cameras on the contrary Christopher wanted to film estimated 40 minutes with IMAX cameras, a high-resolution technology using 70 mm film rather than integrity more-commonly used format 35 mm; the finished film includes 15–20% IMAX footage, running for as regards 28 minutes.^[q] This made volatility the first major motion scope to use IMAX technology, which was generally employed for documentaries.^[r] Warner Bros.

was reluctant launch an attack endorse the use of nobleness technology because the cameras were large and unwieldy, and grip and processing the film reserve cost up to four era as much as typical 35 mm film. Christopher said cameras go off could be used on Override Everest could be used portend The Dark Knight, and challenging cinematographer Wally Pfister and her majesty crew begin training to wetness the equipment in January 2007 to test its feasibility.^[88][89] Christopher particularly wanted to film rendering bank heist prologue in IMAX to immediately convey the be valid in scope between The Sunless Knight and Batman Begins.

Filming birth Chicago

See also: Stunts of The Dark Knight

Principal photography began forethought April 18, 2007, in Metropolis on a $185 million budget.^[s][t] Make it to The Dark Knight, Pfister chose to combine the "rust-style" demonstration of Batman Begins with illustriousness "dusk"-like color scheme of The Prestige (cobalt blues, greens, blacks, and whites), in part unobtrusively address over-dark scenes in Batman Begins.^[83] To avoid attention, photography in Chicago took place misstep the working title Rory's Leading Kiss but the production's literal nature was quickly uncovered harsh media publications.^[97] The Joker's homespun videos were filmed and in the main directed by Ledger.

Caine aforesaid he forgot his lines all along a scene involving one record because of Ledger's "stunning" performance.^[34]

The first scene filmed was decency bank heist, which was revolution in the Old Chicago Keep on Post Office over five days.^[83] It was scheduled early add up test the IMAX procedure, though it to be refilmed right traditional cameras if needed, added it was intended to excellence publicly released as part interrupt the marketing campaign.

Pfister stated doubtful it as a week type patience and learning because forfeit the four-day wait for influence IMAX footage to be willing. Filming moved to England from beginning to end May, returning to Chicago train in June.^[83]

Filming took place in honesty lobby of One Illinois Feelings, which served as Wayne's apartment apartment; bookcases were built inhibit hide the elevators.

A destroy of Two Illinois Center was decorated for Wayne's fundraiser. Rectitude crew was described as panic-stricken as this scene depicted nobility first meeting between Batman lecturer the Joker. The windows unite both settings were covered outward show green screen material, allowing Gotham City visuals to be broaden later.^[83] In July, three weeks were spent filming the merchandise chase scene, mainly on Wacker Drive, a multi-level street depart had to be closed overnight.^[103] During filming, Christopher added tidy set-piece of a SWAT camper crashing through a concrete earthwork.

The sequence continued on Explorer Street, which was also inoperative for the GCPD funeral run, for a practical truck-flip device and helicopter sequence. Additional segments were filmed on Monroe Way and Randolph Street, and mimic Randolph Street Station.^[103][106]

Navy Pier, move forwards the shore of Lake Cards, served as Gotham Harbor presume a climactic ferry scene.

Scouts spent over a month quizzical for suitable vessels but were unsuccessful, so construction coordinator Joe Ondrejko and his team condition ferry facades atop barges.^[103] Nobility entire sequence was filmed engage one day and involved 800 extras, who were moved incinerate makeup and clothing departments interior shifts.

Exterior footage of dignity Gotham Prewitt Building, the ditch of Batman's and the Joker's final confrontation, was filmed surprise victory the in-construction Trump International Bed and Tower. The owners refused permission to film a gimmick in which Batman suspends straight SWAT team from the effects, so this was filmed evade the fortieth floor of cool separate building site.

A stool pigeon Brach's candy factory on Orator Avenue scheduled for demolition was used to film the Gotham General Hospital explosion in Lordly 2007.^[103] Filming in Chicago accomplished on September 1, ending butt scenes of Wayne driving advocate crashing his car, before class production returned to England.^[103]

The Unilluminated Knight includes Chicago locations much as Lake Michigan, which multiple as the Caribbean Sea veer Wayne boards a seaplane;Richard Tabulate.

Daley Center (Wayne Enterprises exteriors and a courtroom);^[103][113]The Berghoff eatery (GCPD arresting mobsters);^[103] Twin Anchors restaurant; the Sound Bar; Artificer Place (Wayne Enterprises interiors); refuse Chicago Theatre.^[103]330 North Wabash served as offices used by Get your hands on, mayor Garcia, and commissioner Loeb; and its thirteenth floor appears as Wayne Enterprises' boardroom; Pfister enhanced its large, panoramic windows and natural light with unembellished 80-foot (24 m) glass table topmost reflective bulbs.

A Randolph Thoroughfare up one`s parking garage is where Disciplined captures Scarecrow and Batman impersonators. Christopher wanted several Rottweiler lay about in the scene but discovery a dog-handler willing to in the same breath manage several dogs was difficult.^[103] A scene of Batman get a bird\'s eye view of the city from a rooftop edge was filmed atop Willis Tower, Chicago's tallest building.

Stuntman Buster Reeves was due pare double as Batman, but Load persuaded the filmmakers to bead him perform the scene himself.^[103][116] The thirteen weeks of photography in Chicago was estimated damage have generated $45 million for excellence city's economy and thousands give an account of local jobs.^[117][118]

Filming in England obtain Hong Kong

Many interior locations fetch The Dark Knight were filmed on sets at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire; these locations include the Nictate Bunker, which took six weeks to build in a Cardington hangar.

The Bat Bunker was based on 1960s Chicago belongings designs, and was integrated win existing concrete floor, and threadbare the 200-foot (61 m) long, 8 ft (2.4 m) tall ceiling to make up a broad perspective. The 160-foot (49 m) tall hangar was inappropriate for suspending the bunker ceiling, and an encompassing gantry was built to hold it take up the lighting.^[83] After moving non-native Chicago in May, scenes filmed in the UK also incorporate Criterion Restaurant, where Rachel, Aftermath, and Wayne share dinner, limit a Gotham News scene saunter was filmed at the Home of Westminster.

The GCPD dishonorable was rebuilt in the Farmiloe Building. During the interrogation locality, Ledger asked Bale to corporeality hit him and, although noteworthy declined, Ledger cracked and sunken the walls by throwing yourselves around.^[120]

After returning to England boardwalk the middle of September, scenes were filmed for the boat, hospital, and Gotham Prewitt structure interiors.

By mid-October, interior enthralled exterior scenes of Rachel duration held hostage surrounded by interest of gasoline were filmed reduced Battersea Power Station. To service damaging the power station, great listed building, a false make known was built in front be required of it and lined with materiel. Nearby residents contacted emergency putting into play believing the explosion was marvellous terrorist attack.

Filming in England concluded at the end model October with a variety exercise green-screen shots for the truck-chase sequence, and shots of Wife being thrown from a windowpane were filmed on a flat tyre at Cardington.

The final nine cycle of production took place create Hong Kong and included up above footage from atop the Ubiquitous Finance Centre, as well likewise filming at Central to Mid-Levels escalator, The Center, Central, Grandeur Peninsula Hong Kong, and Queen's Road; and a stunt Batman catching an in-flight C-130 aircraft.^[u] Despite extensive rehearsals be more or less Reeves jumping from the McClurg Building in Chicago, a fit stunt to depict Batman bounce from one Hong Kong obelisk to another was canceled now local authorities refused permission production helicopter use; Pfister described goodness officials as a "nightmare".^[61] Christopher disputed a report that vocal a scene of Batman saltation into Victoria Harbour was canceled because of pollution concerns, speech it was a script decision.^[125][126] The 127-day shoot concluded unite November 15, on time captain under budget.

Post-production

Editing was underway harvest January 2008 when Ledger, grey 28, died from an fortuitous overdose of a prescription treatment.

A rumor his commitment taking place his performance as the Comedienne had affected his mental remark circulated, but this was posterior refuted.^[v] Christopher said editing position film became "tremendously emotional, correct when he passed, having curb go back in and flick through at him every day [during editing] ...

but the truth evaluation, I feel very lucky pact have something productive to payment, to have a performance renounce he was very, very bigheaded of, and that he difficult entrusted to me to finish".^[58] Because Christopher preferred to appropriate sound while filming rather go one better than re-recording dialogue in post-production, Ledger's work had been completed earlier his death, and Christopher sincere not modify the Joker's narration in response.^[61][133] Christopher added uncut dedication to Ledger and stuntman Conway Wickliffe, who died textile rehearsals for a Tumbler (Batmobile) stunt.^{[134][135][136]}

Alongside lead editor Lee Metalworker, Christopher took an "aggressive piece approach" to editing The Ignorant Knight to achieve its 152-minute running time.^[w] Christopher said maladroit thumbs down d scenes were deleted because sharptasting believed every scene was necessary, and that unnecessary material esoteric been cut before filming.^[137] Class Nolans had difficulties refining justness script to reduce the usage time.

After removing so luxurious material they believed the be included had become incomprehensible, they extra more scenes.^[35]

Special effects and design

Main article: Special effects of The Dark Knight

Unlike the design enter of Batman Begins, which was restrained by a need nick represent Batman iconography, audience espousal of its realistic setting gave The Dark Knight more devise Corbould, the film's special goods supervisor, oversaw the 700 upshot shots Double Negative and Framestore produced; there were relatively effects compared to equivalent cinema because Christopher only used computer-generated imaging where practical effects would not suffice.

Production designer Nathan Crowley designed the Batpod (Batcycle) because Christopher did not compel to extensively re-use the Entertainer. Corbould's team built the Batpod, which is based on clean prototype Crowley and Christopher nature by combining different commercial stake components.^[144] The unwieldy, wide-tired mechanism could only be ridden moisten stuntman Jean Pierre Goy funds months of training.^[116][144] The Gotham General Hospital explosion was shed tears in the script but with the addition of during filming because Corbould considered it could be done.

Hemming, Crowley, Christopher, and Jamie Rama re-designed the Batsuit to make aid more comfortable and flexible, underdeveloped a costume made from tidy stretchy material covered in completed 100 urethane armor pieces.^[148] Artist Julian Murray developed Dent's burnt-facial design, which is based business Christopher's request for a drawn appearance.

Murray went through designs that were "too real settle down more horrifying" before settling school assembly a more "fanciful" and absolute but less-repulsive version.^[66] Hemming intentional Joker's overall appearance, which explicit based on fashion-and-music celebrities attain create a modern and stylish look.

Influence also came liberate yourself from the 1953 painting Study care Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Untarnished X by Francis Bacon—suggested emergency Christopher—and the character's comic-book appearances.^[34][151] The outfit consists of organized purple coat, a green tog, an antique shirt, and uncluttered thin, 1960s-style tie that Journal suggested.

Prosthetics supervisor Conor O'Sullivan created Joker's scars, which loosen up partly based on a mutilated delivery man he met, slab used his own technique however create and apply the flexible, skin-like prosthesis.^[34]John Caglione Jr organized Joker's "organic" makeup to manifestation as though it had antiquated worn for days; this solution was partly based on go into detail of Bacon's works.

Caglione Jr used a theatrical makeup approach for the application; he clever Ledger to scrunch up circlet face so different cracks stomach textures were created once righteousness makeup was applied and Diary relaxed. Ledger always applied interpretation lipstick himself, believing it was essential to his characterization.^[34][155]

Music

Main article: The Dark Knight (soundtrack)

Composers Saint Newton Howard and Hans Framework, who had also worked classical Batman Begins, scored The Black Knight because Christopher believed give birth to was important to bridge justness musical-narrative gap between the movies.

The score was recorded surprise victory Air Studios, London. Howard lecture Zimmer composed the score devoid of seeing the film because Christopher wanted them to be high-sounding by the characters and play a part rather than fitting specific on-screen elements.^[156] Howard and Zimmer unconnected their duties by character; Thespian focused on Dent and Frame focused on Batman and leadership Joker.

Zimmer did not reassess Batman to be strictly courteous and wrote the theme damage not seem "super".^[159] Howard wrote about ten minutes of strain for Dent, wanting to draft him as an American who represents hope, but undergoes swindler emotional extreme and moral degeneracy. He used brass instruments reserve both moral ends but awry the sound as Dent commission corrupted.^[156]

Zimmer wanted to use orderly single note for the Joker's theme; he said, "imagine undeniable note that starts off a little agitated and then goes hold on to serious aggravation and finally rips your head off at loftiness end".

He could not bright it work, however, and sentimental two notes with alternating tempos and a "punk" influence.^[156][159] Ethics theme was influenced by electronic music innovators Kraftwerk and Zimmer's work with rock band Authority Damned. He wanted to intercommunicate elements of the Joker's blight, recklessness, and "otherworldliness" by blending electronic and orchestral music, become more intense modifying almost every note sustenance recording to emulate sounds counting thunder and razors.^{[156][159][160]} He attempted to develop original sounds professional synthesizers, trying to create operate "offputting" result by instructing musicians to start with a singular note and gradually shift with respect to the second over a three-minute period; the musicians found that difficult because it was glory opposite of their training.

Make available took several months to total Zimmer's desired result.^[159] Following Ledger's death, Zimmer considered discarding honourableness theme for a more household one but he and Actor believed they should honor Ledger's performance.^[x]

Release

Marketing and anti-piracy

The Dark Knight's marketing campaign was developed offspring alternate reality game (ARG) method company 42 Entertainment.

Christopher lacked the team to focus top choice countering the negative reaction be acquainted with Ledger's casting and controlling description revelation of the Joker's appearance.^[162] Influenced by the script current the comic books The Liquidation Joke, The Long Halloween, professor Arkham Asylum: A Serious Scaffold on Serious Earth (1989), 42 Entertainment paced the ARG bestow annual events, although Warner Bros.

rejected their ideas to in relation to Jokerized Santas at Christmas, coffins filled with chattering teeth get a move on Mother's Day (mocking Wayne's build mother), and Batman actors association rooftops due to safety concerns.^[162][163]

The ARG began in May 2007 with campaign posters for Clearcut and Joker playing cards tendency the phrase "I believe deck Harvey Dent" were hidden lining comic books at stores crush the U.S.

This led followers to a website where they could submit their e-mail addresses to reveal a pixel jump at a concealed Joker image; pine 97,000 e-mail addresses and 20 hours were required to relate the image in full, which was well received. At San Diego Comic-Con, 42 Entertainment limited 11,000 one-dollar bills with excellence Joker's image and the designation "Why So Serious?" that put on finders to a location.

42 Entertainment's initial plan to cast the bills from a gods was canceled due to maintenance concerns, so the bills were covertly distributed to attendees. Granted the event was expected cheer attract a few thousand humans, 650,000 arrived and participated gratify activities that included calling calligraphic number taken from a outside flying overhead and wearing Comedienne makeup to commit disruptive acquaintance with actors.^{[162][163][164]} Globally, fans photographed letters on signs to hide a ransom note.

A U.S.-centric effort involved people recovering cellphones made by Nokia—a brand accessory to the film—from a gateau, which led to an inappropriate screening of the film's bank-heist prologue before its public come to somebody's aid in December. Ledger's appearance contain the prologue was well-received promote positively changed the discourse nearly his casting.^[y]

Following Ledger's death, nobility campaign continued unchanged with undiluted focus on Dent's election, which was influenced by the unbroken 2008 United States presidential choosing.

Warner Bros. was concerned general knowledge of Dent's character was poor; the campaign included notating, stickers, and "Dentmobiles" visiting U.S. cities to raise his silhouette. The campaign concluded in July with displays of the Bat-Signal in Chicago and New Dynasty City that were eventually ruined by the Joker. Industry professionals considered the campaign innovative bid successful.^[z]

Warner Bros.

dedicated six months to anti-piracy methods; the pick up industry lost an estimated $6.1 billion to piracy in 2005. Package methods of film reels were randomized and copies had uncomplicated chain of custody to line who had access. Some transient staff were given night-vision drinking-glass to identify people recording The Dark Knight, and one in my opinion was caught in Kansas Socket.

Warner Bros. considered its tactics a success, delaying the soar of the first "poorly-lit" camcorder version until 38–48 hours care for its earliest global release feature Australia.^[174][175]

Context

See also: 2008 in film

Compared to 2007's $9.7 billion box-office entitlement, in 2008, lower revenues were expected due to the crackdown number of comedies competing contradict each other and the liberate of films with dark tones, such as The Dark Knight, during a period of intrepid living costs and election tiredness in the U.S.

Fewer sequels, which generally performed well, were scheduled and only four—The Ill-lit Knight, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Mummy: Vault of the Dragon Emperor, suggest Indiana Jones and the Sovereignty of the Crystal Skull—were believable to be blockbusters. Kingdom unconscious the Crystal Skull was glory only film expected to readily earn over $300 million.^[176]

The Dark Knight was expected to sell chuck based on high audience hope, positive pre-release reviews, and uncluttered record $3.5 million in IMAX pre-sales.

Predictions placed its opening-weekend side above that of Iron Man's $102.1 million but below that provide Spider-Man 3's (2007) record $151.1 million. Analysts said its success would be influenced by the long-drawn-out running time that limited justness number of screenings per allot, and counter-programming from the fanciful comedy Mamma Mia!—which surveyed achieve something with women—and the family ludicrousness Space Chimps.

There was along with a perceived limit on budgetary success for Batman films; position 1989 installment remained the franchise's highest-grossing release.^[177][178]The Dark Knight's first night took place on July 14, in IMAX in New Royalty City. A block in Level was closed for the stage, which included a live act of the film score dampen Howard and Zimmer.

The Feel Reporter said Ledger received diverse ovations, and that during magnanimity after-party, Warner Bros. executives struggled to maintain a balance halfway celebrating the successful response humbling commemorating Ledger.^[179]

Box office

On July 18, 2008, The Dark Knight was widely released in the U.S.

and Canada in a enigmatic 4,366 theaters on an believed 9,200 screens. It earned $158.4 million during the weekend, a per-theater average of $36,282, breaking Spider-Man 3's record and making depute the number-one film ahead ad infinitum Mamma Mia! ($27.8 million) and Hancock ($14 million) in its third weekend.^[aa] It set further records make known the highest-grossing single-day ($67.2 million deputation the Friday), Sunday ($43.6 million), the witching hour opening ($18.5 million, from 3,000 dead of night screenings), and IMAX opening ($6.3 million from about 94 locations), slightly well as the second-highest-grossing Sat ($47.7 million) behind Spider-Man 3, fairy story contributed to the highest-grossing weekend on record ($253.6 million).^[ab] The album benefited from repeat viewings brush aside younger audiences and had widespread appeal, with 52% of greatness audience being male and unembellished equal number of those get somebody on your side 25 years old, and those of 25 or older.^{[177][178][186]}

The Illlighted Knight broke more records, plus for the highest-grossing opening period ($238.6 million), and for three-, four-, five-, six-, seven-, eight-, nine-, and ten-day cumulative grosses, plus the highest-grossing non-holiday Monday ($24.5 million) and non-opening Tuesday ($20.9 million, brand well as the second-highest-grossing non-opening Wednesday ($18.4 million), behind Transformers ($29.1 million).^[ac] It retained the number-one layout in its second weekend catch on a total gross of $75.2 million, ahead of the debuting