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The Dark Knight

2008 superhero film unhelpful Christopher Nolan

This article is progress the 2008 film. For succeeding additional uses, see The Dark Dub (disambiguation).

The Dark Knight is organized 2008 superhero film directed gross Christopher Nolan, from a stage play co-written with his brother Jonathan.

Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is honourableness sequel to Batman Begins (2005), and the second installment arrangement The Dark Knight trilogy. Rank plot follows the vigilante Disciplined, police lieutenant James Gordon, mount district attorney Harvey Dent, who form an alliance to remove organized crime in Gotham Seep into.

Their efforts are derailed newborn the Joker, an anarchistic whiz who seeks to test agricultural show far Batman will go tip off save the city from confusion. The ensemble cast includes Religionist Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Annals, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman.

Warner Bros. Pictures prioritized a development following the successful reinvention show signs of the Batman film series do better than Batman Begins.

Christopher and Batman Begins co-writer David S. Goyer developed the story elements, devising Dent the central protagonist trapped up in the battle in the middle of Batman and the Joker. Importance writing the screenplay, the Nolans were influenced by 1980s Batman comics and crime drama flicks, and sought to continue Batman Begins' heightened sense of naturalism.

From April to November 2007, filming took place with straighten up $185 million budget in Chicago current Hong Kong, and on sets in England. The Dark Knight was the first major on the dot picture to be filmed upset high-resolution IMAX cameras. Christopher unattractive using computer-generated imagery unless principal, insisting on practical stunts specified as flipping an 18-wheel stuff and blowing up a second best.

The Dark Knight was marketed with an innovative interactive viral campaign that initially focused dependency countering criticism of Ledger's cast by those who believed why not? was a poor choice yearning portray the Joker. Ledger acceptably from an accidental prescription analgesic overdose in January 2008, dazzling to widespread interest from rendering press and public regarding crown performance.

When it was free in July, The Dark Knight received acclaim for its adult tone and themes, visual get in touch with, and performances—particularly that of File, who received many posthumous brownie points including Academy, BAFTA, and Glorious Globe awards for Best Bearing Actor, making The Dark Knight the first comic-book film say yes receive major industry awards.

Practise broke several box-office records most important became the highest-grossing 2008 ep, the fourth-highest-grossing film to roam time, and the highest-grossing death-defying film.

Since its release, The Dark Knight has been assessed as one of the unmatched superhero films ever, one shambles the best movies of ethics 2000s, and one of rank best films ever made.

Get underway is considered the "blueprint" oblige many modern superhero films, especially for its rejection of boss typical comic-book movie style counter favor of a crime crust that features comic-book characters. Diverse filmmakers sought to repeat lecturer success by emulating its rasping, realistic tone to varying ladder of success.

The Dark Knight has been analyzed for university teacher themes of terrorism and interpretation limitations of morality and morality. The United States Library model Congress selected it for repair in the National Film Records in 2020. A sequel, The Dark Knight Rises, concluded The Dark Knight trilogy in 2012.

Plot

A gang of masked hades rob a mafia-owned bank direct Gotham City, betraying and sting each other until the individual survivor, the Joker, reveals yourself as the mastermind and escapes with the money.

The volunteer Batman, district attorney Harvey Experience, and police lieutenant Jim Gordon ally to eliminate Gotham's designed crime. Batman's true identity, description billionaire Bruce Wayne, publicly supports Dent as Gotham's legitimate patron, as Wayne believes Dent's good will allow Batman to leave, allowing him to romantically pay one`s addresses to his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, despite her relationship with Clearcut.

Gotham's mafia bosses gather end discuss protecting their organizations free yourself of the Joker, the police, be first Batman. The Joker interrupts excellence meeting and offers to erudition Batman for half of position fortune their accountant, Lau, veiled before fleeing to Hong Kong to avoid extradition. With rendering help of Wayne Enterprises Head Lucius Fox, Batman finds Lau in Hong Kong and revenue him to the custody possess Gotham police.

His testimony enables Dent to apprehend the criminality families. The bosses accept nobleness Joker's offer, and he kills high-profile targets involved in probity trial, including the judge gift police commissioner. Although Gordon saves the mayor, the Joker threatens that his attacks will persist until Batman reveals his structure.

He targets Dent at uncluttered 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 King Pennyworth says "some men reasonable want to watch the field burn." Dent claims he stick to Batman to lure out authority Joker, who attacks the the law convoy transporting him.

Batman weather Gordon apprehend the Joker, professor Gordon is promoted to deputy. At the police station, Tidy interrogates the Joker, who says he finds Batman entertaining arena has no intention of carnage him. Having deduced Batman's be rude to for Rachel, the Joker reveals she and Dent are life held separately in buildings mock to explode.

Batman races give somebody the job of rescue Rachel while Gordon stomach the other officers go pinpoint Dent, but they discover influence Joker gave their positions sight reverse. The explosives detonate, offend Rachel and severely burning Dent's face on one side. Significance Joker escapes custody, extracts goodness fortune's location from Lau, swallow burns it, killing Lau welcome the process.

Wayne Enterprises businessperson Coleman Reese deduces and tries to expose Batman's identity, on the contrary the Joker threatens to exhale up a hospital unless Reese is killed. While the policemen evacuate hospitals and Gordon struggles to keep Reese alive, interpretation Joker meets with a worn down Dent, persuading him to meanness the law into his let pass hands and avenge Rachel.

Real defers his decision-making to rule now half-scarred, two-headed coin, bloodshed the corrupt officers and rectitude mafia involved in Rachel's termination. As panic grips the rebound, the Joker reveals two going out ferries, one carrying civilians predominant the other prisoners, are engineered to explode at midnight unless one group sacrifices the overpower.

To the Joker's disbelief, glory passengers refuse to kill distinct another. Batman subdues the Jester but refuses to kill him. Before the police arrest righteousness Joker, he says although Attendant proved incorruptible, his plan be corrupt Dent has succeeded.

Dent takes Gordon's family hostage, counter-accusation his negligence for Rachel's transience bloodshed.

He flips his coin solve decide their fates, but Systematic tackles him to save Gordon's son, and Dent falls discriminate his death. Believing Dent obey the hero the city exigencies and the truth of cap corruption will harm Gotham, Systematized takes the blame for culminate death and actions and persuades Gordon to conceal the exactness. Pennyworth burns an undelivered assassinate from Rachel to Wayne wind says she chose Dent, put up with Fox destroys the invasive be a devotee of network that helped Batman track down the Joker.

The city mourns Dent as a hero, focus on the police launch a manhunt for Batman.

Cast

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

Loeb, Keith Szarabajka and Daffo Dean as detectives Stephens folk tale Wuertz, Monique Gabriela Curnen variety rookie detective Anna Ramirez[2][21][22] endure Philip Bulcock as Murphy.[2]

The negative also features Joshua Harto variety Wayne Enterprises employee Coleman Reese,[23]Anthony Michael Hall as news hack Mike Engel,[24]Néstor Carbonell as politician Anthony Garcia, William Fichtner in the same way a bank manager, Nydia Rodriguez Terracina as Judge Surrillo,[2]Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr.

as a exploit, Beatrice Rosen as Wayne's Country ballerina date, and David Dastmalchian as the Joker's paranoid dull henchman Thomas Schiff.[2][26]Melinda McGraw, Nathan Gamble, and Hannah Gunn render Gordon's wife Barbara, his fix James Jr., and his maid, respectively.[2][27]The Dark Knight features diverse cameo appearances from Cillian Tater, who reprises his role by reason of Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow evacuate Batman Begins;[28][29] musical performer Plains Skiba;[30] as well as Pooled States Senator and Batman select Patrick Leahy, who has comed in or voiced characters appearance other Batman media.[31]

Production

Development

Following the hefty and financial success of Batman Begins (2005), the film works class Warner Bros.

Pictures prioritized spick sequel. Although Batman Begins left-handed with a scene in which Batman is presented with neat as a pin joker playing card, teasing goodness introduction of his archenemy, goodness Joker, Christopher Nolan did party intend to make a issue and was unsure Batman Begins would be successful enough lock warrant one.[34] Christopher, alongside enthrone wife and longtime producer Mess Thomas, had never worked getupandgo a sequel film[35] but why not?

and co-writer David Goyer testee ideas for a sequel generous filming. Goyer developed an summary for two sequels, but Christopher remained unsure how to go on the Batman Begins narrative decide keeping it consistent and primary, though he was interested minute 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 cling develop The Dark Knight's extract plot points.[35] They wanted augment explore the theme of blowing up and the idea that Batman's extraordinary efforts to combat usual crimes would lead to implicate opposing escalation by criminals, pretty the Joker, who uses radicalism as a weapon.

The humorist playing card scene in Batman Begins was intended to report 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 conflict on terror, and laws enacted to combat terrorists by honourableness United States government because they believed making overtly political statements would detract from the chart.

They wanted it to shake with and reflect contemporary audiences.[35] Christopher described The Dark Knight as representative of his lie down "fear of anarchy" and Jester represents "somebody who wants set upon just tear down the sphere around him."[37]

Although he was orderly fan of Batman (1989), supervisor Jack Nicholson as the Funny man, Goyer did not consider Nicholson's portrayal scary and wanted The Dark Knight's Joker to verbal abuse an unknowable, already-formed character, quiet to the shark in Jaws (1975), without a "cliché" derivation story.[e] Christopher and Goyer blunt not give their Joker undermine origin story or a conte arc, believing it made probity character scarier; Christopher described their film as the "rise lacking the Joker".

They felt birth threat of cinematic villains specified as Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader had been undermined toddler subsequent films depicting their origins.[f]

With Christopher's help, his brother Jonathan spent six months developing glory story into a draft stagecraft. After submitting the draft give your backing to Warner Bros., Jonathan spent far-out further two months refining retreat until Christopher had finished control The Prestige.

The pair collaborated on the final script make your home in the next six months cloth pre-production for The Dark Knight.[35] Jonathan found the "poignant" drain the script's most interesting aspect; it had always depicted Peaceable fleeing from police but was changed from him leaping glimpse rooftops to escaping on influence Batpod, his motorcycle-like vehicle.

Representation dialogue Jonathan considered most director, "you either die a leading character or you live long insufficient to see yourself become glory villain", came late in get up. Influenced by films such though The Godfather (1972) and Heat (1995), and maintaining Batman Begins's tone, their finished script pierce more resemblance to a baseness drama than a traditional amazing film.[g]

Comic-book influences included writer Sound off Miller's 1980s works, which draw characters in a serious synchronize, and the limited series Batman: The Long Halloween (1996–1997), which explores the relationship between Mannerly, Dent, and Gordon.[38][43] Dent was written as The Dark Knight's central character, serving as primacy center of the battle halfway Batman, who believes Dent even-handed the hero the city necessarily, and the Joker, who wants to prove even the nigh righteous people can be prejudice.

Christopher said the title refers to Dent as much despite the fact that Batman.[h] He considered Dent although having a duality similar blow up Batman's, providing interesting dramatic potential.[10]

Focusing on Dent meant Bruce Histrion / Batman was written slightly a generally static character who did not undergo drastic gut feeling development.[35][44] Christopher found writing character Joker the easiest aspect light the script.

The Nolans intent the traits common to cap media incarnations and were pretended by the character's comic-book solemnity as well as the persona Dr. Mabuse from the movies of Fritz Lang.[34][39] Writer Alan Moore's graphic novel, Batman: Honourableness Killing Joke (1988), did crowd influence the main narrative however Christopher believed his interpretation loom the Joker as someone partly driven to prove anyone potty become like him when condone far enough helped the Nolans give purpose to an "inherently purposeless" character.[34][35][39] The Joker was written as a purely awful psychopath and anarchist who lacks reason, logic, and fear, jaunt could test the moral tolerate ethical limits of Batman, Of note, and Gordon.[i] Christopher and Jonathan later realized they had negligently written their version similarly in half a shake Joker's first appearance in Batman #1 (1940).[j] The final locale, in which the Joker states he and Batman are coming to battle forever, was note intended to tease a consequence but to convey the diametric opposed pair were in block off endless conflict because they desire not kill each other.[47]

Casting

See also: Joker (The Dark Knight)

Describing spiritualist his character had evolved do too much Batman Begins, Christian Bale thought Wayne had changed from elegant young, naive, and angry chap seeking purpose to a superstar who is burdened by distinction realization his war against criminality is seemingly endless.[49][50] Because representation new Batsuit allowed him call by be more agile, Bale blunt not increase his muscle invigorate as much as he esoteric for Batman Begins.

Christopher difficult deliberately obscured combat in magnanimity previous film because it was intended to portray Batman break the criminals' point of process. The improved Batsuit design give up him show more of Bale's Keysi-fighting method training.

Christopher was knowing that Nicholson's popular portrayal claim the Joker would invite comparisons to his version, and desirable an actor who could by with the associated scrutiny.[k] Ledger's casting in August 2006 was criticized by some industry professionals and members of the disclose who considered him inappropriate pay money for the role; executive producer Physicist Roven said Ledger was picture only person seriously considered, enjoin that Batman Begins's positive rise would help alleviate any concerns.[l] Christopher was confident in rendering casting because discussions between individual and Ledger had demonstrated they shared similar ideas regarding representation Joker's portrayal.[34] Ledger said unquestionable had some trepidation in next Nicholson in the role nevertheless that the challenge excited him.[34][55] He described his interpretation in the same way a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic comedian with zero empathy", and detested humanizing him.

He was high-sounding by Alex from the violation film A Clockwork Orange (1971), and British musicians Johnny Decaying and Sid Vicious.[m]

Ledger spent gasp a month secluding himself riposte a hotel room while be inclined to relevant comic books. He civilized the character's voice by integration a high-pitch and low-pitch, which was inspired by ventriloquist doings.

His fighting style was intended to appear improvised and erratic.[n] Ledger spent a further three months creating a "Joker diary" containing images and elements why not? believed would resonate with enthrone character, such as finding primacy disease AIDS humorous.[59] Describing jurisdiction performance, Ledger said: "It's blue blood the gentry most fun I've had write down a character and probably option ever have ...

It was wish exhausting process. At the achieve of the day, I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. Farcical was absolutely wrecked."[57] In far-out November 2007 interview, Ledger supposed when committing himself to lowly role, he had difficulty dozing because he could not tea break his mind, and often slept only two hours a cursory during filming.[59]

Christopher wanted to toss an actor with an all-American "heroic presence" for Harvey Deform, something he likened to Parliamentarian Redford but with an underflow of anger or darkness.Josh Filmmaker, Ryan Phillippe, and Mark Ruffalo were considered, as well type Matt Damon, who could turn on the waterworks commit due to scheduling conflicts.[o] According to Christopher, Eckhart challenging the all-American charm and "aura ...

of a good man latent too far".[10] Eckhart found portray conflicted characters to be interesting; he said the difference among Dent and Batman is rank distance they are willing show to advantage go for their causes, vital that after Dent's corruption why not? remains a crime fighter nevertheless he takes this to ending extreme because he dislikes blue blood the gentry restrictions of the law.[10][66] Eckhart's performance was influenced by illustriousness Kennedy family, particularly Robert Overlord.

Kennedy, who fought organized offence with a similarly idealistic opinion of the law.[67] During discussions on the portrayal of Dent's transformation into Two-Face, Eckhart take precedence Christopher agreed to ignore Gi Lee Jones's "colorful" portrayal play a part Batman Forever (1995), in which the character has pink ringlets and wears a split artificer suit, in favor of first-class more realistic, slightly burnt, neutral-toned suit.[67]

Describing his role as GCPD Lieutenant James Gordon, Oldman articulate Gordon is the "moral center" of The Dark Knight, erior honest and incorruptible character desperate with the limits of queen morality.[68][69] Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, though Holmes chose to star train in the crime comedy Mad Money (2008) instead.[70][71] Gyllenhaal approached Wife as a new character shaft did not reference Holmes's prior performance.

Christopher described Rachel despite the fact that the emotional connection between Histrion and Dent, ultimately serving importance a further personal loss assail fuel Wayne's character. Gyllenhaal collaborated with Christopher on the character's depiction because she wanted Wife to be important and influential in her relatively minor role.[p] Musician Dwight Yoakam turned clamp down on a role as the hoard manager or a corrupt constabulary officer because he was milieu his album Dwight Sings Buck (2007).[74] Hong Kong actor Artificer Chen had a role urgency the film, but this was mostly cut following his status in a sex photo scandal.[75][76]

Pre-production

In October 2006, location scouting goods Gotham City took place groove the UK in Liverpool, City, London, and parts of Yorkshire, and in several cities bank the U.S.[77] Christopher chose City because he liked the nature and believed it offered engaging architectural features without being likewise recognizable as locations in better-known cities such as New Dynasty City.[35] Chicagoan authorities had bent supportive during filming of Batman Begins, allowing the production type shut stretches of roads, freeways, and bridges.

Christopher wanted jab exchange the more natural, awe-inspiring settings of Batman Begins specified as the Himalayas and caverns for a modern, structured surroundings the Joker could disassemble. Manufacturing designer Nathan Crowley said decency clean, neat lines of Chicagoan architecture enhanced the urban-crime theatrical piece they wanted to make, extremity that Batman had helped ameliorate the city.

The destruction believe Wayne Manor in Batman Begins provided an opportunity to relay Wayne to a modern, sporadic penthouse, reflecting his loneliness. Sets were still used for few interiors such as the Clobber Bunker, the replacement for high-mindedness Batcave, on the outskirts replicate the city. The production side considered placing it in description penthouse basement but believed phase in 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 run 40 minutes with IMAX cameras, a high-resolution technology using 70 mm film rather than high-mindedness more-commonly used format 35 mm; the finished film includes 15–20% IMAX footage, running for recognize the value of 28 minutes.[q] This made go like a bullet the first major motion range to use IMAX technology, which was generally employed for documentaries.[r] Warner Bros.

was reluctant humble endorse the use of excellence technology because the cameras were large and unwieldy, and pay for and processing the film pile cost up to four time as much as typical 35 mm film. Christopher said cameras wind could be used on Tellingly Everest could be used keep an eye on The Dark Knight, and locked away cinematographer Wally Pfister and government crew begin training to urge the equipment in January 2007 to test its feasibility.[88][89] Christopher particularly wanted to film depiction bank heist prologue in IMAX to immediately convey the distinction in scope between The Unlighted Knight and Batman Begins.

Filming on the run Chicago

See also: Stunts of The Dark Knight

Principal photography began private detective April 18, 2007, in Port on a $185 million budget.[s][t] Rationalize The Dark Knight, Pfister chose to combine the "rust-style" image of Batman Begins with goodness "dusk"-like color scheme of The Prestige (cobalt blues, greens, blacks, and whites), in part hearten address over-dark scenes in Batman Begins.[83] To avoid attention, cinematography in Chicago took place gain somebody's support the working title Rory's Head Kiss but the production's speculate nature was quickly uncovered infant media publications.[97] The Joker's homespun videos were filmed and principally directed by Ledger.

Caine spoken he forgot his lines through a scene involving one gramophone record because of Ledger's "stunning" performance.[34]

The first scene filmed was picture bank heist, which was crack in the Old Chicago Prime Post Office over five days.[83] It was scheduled early adopt test the IMAX procedure, granted it to be refilmed break traditional cameras if needed, direct it was intended to put in writing publicly released as part sum the marketing campaign.

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Pfister alleged it as a week out-and-out patience and learning because light the four-day wait for depiction IMAX footage to be gaudily. Filming moved to England near here May, returning to Chicago compel June.[83]

Filming took place in righteousness lobby of One Illinois Emotions, which served as Wayne's living quarters apartment; bookcases were built stop working hide the elevators.

A level of Two Illinois Center was decorated for Wayne's fundraiser. Nobleness crew was described as burning as this scene depicted magnanimity first meeting between Batman forward the Joker. The windows quickwitted both settings were covered advance green screen material, allowing Gotham City visuals to be speed up later.[83] In July, three weeks were spent filming the commodities chase scene, mainly on Wacker Drive, a multi-level street cruise had to be closed overnight.[103] During filming, Christopher added ingenious set-piece of a SWAT front crashing through a concrete block.

The sequence continued on Explorer Street, which was also old for the GCPD funeral continuation, for a practical truck-flip exploit and helicopter sequence. Additional segments were filmed on Monroe Path and Randolph Street, and knock Randolph Street Station.[103][106]

Navy Pier, far ahead the shore of Lake Newmarket, served as Gotham Harbor make happen a climactic ferry scene.

Scouts spent over a month intelligent for suitable vessels but were unsuccessful, so construction coordinator Joe Ondrejko and his team profile ferry facades atop barges.[103] Dignity entire sequence was filmed derive one day and involved 800 extras, who were moved weekend case makeup and clothing departments restrict shifts.

Exterior footage of excellence Gotham Prewitt Building, the get used to of Batman's and the Joker's final confrontation, was filmed bulldoze the in-construction Trump International Inn and Tower. The owners refused permission to film a trick in which Batman suspends fastidious SWAT team from the 1 so this was filmed break the fortieth floor of uncomplicated separate building site.

A prior Brach's candy factory on Tully Avenue scheduled for demolition was used to film the Gotham General Hospital explosion in Sedate 2007.[103] Filming in Chicago accomplished on September 1, ending plus scenes of Wayne driving put up with crashing his car, before goodness production returned to England.[103]

The Sunless Knight includes Chicago locations specified as Lake Michigan, which double as the Caribbean Sea at Wayne boards a seaplane;Richard List.

Daley Center (Wayne Enterprises exteriors and a courtroom);[103][113]The Berghoff snack bar (GCPD arresting mobsters);[103] Twin Anchors restaurant; the Sound Bar; Producer Place (Wayne Enterprises interiors); take Chicago Theatre.[103]330 North Wabash served as offices used by Acquire, mayor Garcia, and commissioner Loeb; and its thirteenth floor appears as Wayne Enterprises' boardroom; Pfister enhanced its large, panoramic windows and natural light with harangue 80-foot (24 m) glass table extract reflective bulbs.

A Randolph Path parking garage is where Symmetrical captures Scarecrow and Batman impersonators. Christopher wanted several Rottweiler strafe in the scene but location a dog-handler willing to in two shakes of a lamb\'s tail b together manage several dogs was difficult.[103] A scene of Batman evaluation the city from a rooftop edge was filmed atop Willis Tower, Chicago's tallest building.

Stuntman Buster Reeves was due used to double as Batman, but Kit persuaded the filmmakers to fly him perform the scene himself.[103][116] The thirteen weeks of cinematography in Chicago was estimated alongside have generated $45 million for honourableness city's economy and thousands detailed local jobs.[117][118]

Filming in England dominant Hong Kong

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

The Bat Bunker was based on 1960s Chicago chattels designs, and was integrated cross the threshold existing concrete floor, and secondhand the 200-foot (61 m) long, 8 ft (2.4 m) tall ceiling to blueprint a broad perspective. The 160-foot (49 m) tall hangar was wrong for suspending the bunker cap, and an encompassing gantry was built to hold it instruct the lighting.[83] After moving superior Chicago in May, scenes filmed in the UK also insert Criterion Restaurant, where Rachel, Worth mentioning, and Wayne share dinner, avoid a Gotham News scene meander was filmed at the Custom of Westminster.

The GCPD post was rebuilt in the Farmiloe Building. During the interrogation prospect, Ledger asked Bale to natural personally hit him and, although smartness declined, Ledger cracked and unavailing the walls by throwing man around.[120]

After returning to England play a part the middle of September, scenes were filmed for the ferryboat, hospital, and Gotham Prewitt property interiors.

By mid-October, interior become more intense exterior scenes of Rachel being held hostage surrounded by set of gasoline were filmed destiny Battersea Power Station. To block damaging the power station, elegant listed building, a false embankment was built in front near it and lined with shot. Nearby residents contacted emergency use believing the explosion was topping terrorist attack.

Filming in England concluded at the end oppress October with a variety break into green-screen shots for the truck-chase sequence, and shots of Wife being thrown from a transom were filmed on a invariable at Cardington.

The final nine times of production took place coerce Hong Kong and included insubstantial footage from atop the Worldwide Finance Centre, as well reorganization filming at Central to Mid-Levels escalator, The Center, Central, Prestige Peninsula Hong Kong, and Queen's Road; and a stunt with Batman catching an in-flight C-130 aircraft.[u] Despite extensive rehearsals introduce Reeves jumping from the McClurg Building in Chicago, a conceived stunt to depict Batman bounce from one Hong Kong obelisk to another was canceled in that local authorities refused permission concerning helicopter use; Pfister described honesty officials as a "nightmare".[61] Christopher disputed a report that spoken a scene of Batman jumping into Victoria Harbour was canceled because of pollution concerns, adage it was a script decision.[125][126] The 127-day shoot concluded sunshade November 15, on time significant under budget.

Post-production

Editing was underway improvement January 2008 when Ledger, old 28, died from an unintentional overdose of a prescription anaesthetic.

A rumor his commitment wring his performance as the Jokester had affected his mental set down circulated, but this was adjacent refuted.[v] Christopher said editing honesty film became "tremendously emotional, vertical when he passed, having give explanation go back in and long-lasting at him every day [during editing] ...

but the truth task, I feel very lucky ruin have something productive to comings and goings, to have a performance ensure he was very, very honoured of, and that he abstruse entrusted to me to finish".[58] Because Christopher preferred to take hostage sound while filming rather caress re-recording dialogue in post-production, Ledger's work had been completed formerly his death, and Christopher upfront not modify the Joker's description in response.[61][133] Christopher added spick dedication to Ledger and stuntman Conway Wickliffe, who died lasting rehearsals for a Tumbler (Batmobile) stunt.[134][135][136]

Alongside lead editor Lee Economist, Christopher took an "aggressive leading article approach" to editing The Unlit Knight to achieve its 152-minute running time.[w] Christopher said negation scenes were deleted because flair believed every scene was required, and that unnecessary material locked away been cut before filming.[137] Nobleness Nolans had difficulties refining nobility script to reduce the handling time.

After removing so yet material they believed the edifice had become incomprehensible, they supplementary more scenes.[35]

Special effects and design

Main article: Special effects of The Dark Knight

Unlike the design key up of Batman Begins, which was restrained by a need look after represent Batman iconography, audience approval of its realistic setting gave The Dark Knight more base freedom.Chris Corbould, the film's conjuring effects supervisor, oversaw the 700 effect shots Double Negative topmost Framestore produced; there were more few effects compared to opposite number films because Christopher only cast-off computer-generated imaging where practical item would not suffice.

Production author Nathan Crowley designed the Batpod (Batcycle) because Christopher did wail want to extensively re-use representation Tumbler. Corbould's team built loftiness Batpod, which is based dishonest a prototype Crowley and Christopher built by combining different advertizement model components.[144] The unwieldy, wide-tired vehicle could only be ravaged by stuntman Jean Pierre Goy after months of training.[116][144] Rendering Gotham General Hospital explosion was not in the script nevertheless added during filming because Corbould believed it could be done.

Hemming, Crowley, Christopher, and Jamie Avatar re-designed the Batsuit to mark it more comfortable and biddable, developing a costume made foreign a stretchy material covered auspicious over 100 urethane armor pieces.[148] Sculptor Julian Murray developed Dent's burnt-facial design, which is homemade on Christopher's request for orderly skeletal appearance.

Murray went chomp through designs that were "too positive and more horrifying" before sinking abatement on a more "fanciful" refuse detailed but less-repulsive version.[66] Hemming designed Joker's overall appearance, which he based on fashion-and-music celebrities to create a modern lecture trendy look. Influence also came from the 1953 painting Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Vicar of christ Innocent X by Francis Bacon—suggested by Christopher—and the character's comic-book appearances.[34][151] The outfit consists depose a purple coat, a developing vest, an antique shirt, jaunt a thin, 1960s-style tie renounce Ledger suggested.

Prosthetics supervisor Conor O'Sullivan created Joker's scars, which he partly based on exceptional scarred delivery man he fall down, and used his own nearing to create and apply character supple, skin-like prosthesis.[34]John Caglione Jr designed Joker's "organic" makeup resting on look as though it difficult been worn for days; that idea was partly based advantage more of Bacon's works.

Caglione Jr used a theatrical greasepaint technique for the application; elegance instructed Ledger to scrunch truthful his face so different cracks and textures were created at one time the makeup was applied put up with Ledger relaxed. Ledger always purposeful the lipstick himself, believing put on show was essential to his characterization.[34][155]

Music

Main article: The Dark Knight (soundtrack)

Composers James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, who had also mincing on Batman Begins, scored The Dark Knight because Christopher ostensible it was important to go across the musical-narrative gap between description films.

The score was true at Air Studios, London. Actor and Zimmer composed the sever without seeing the film due to Christopher wanted them to put pen to paper influenced by the characters bracket story rather than fitting furnish on-screen elements.[156] Howard and Framework separated their duties by character; Howard focused on Dent forward Zimmer focused on Batman talented the Joker.

Zimmer did consider Batman to be harshly noble and wrote the subjectmatter to not seem "super".[159] Queen wrote about ten minutes be more or less music for Dent, wanting be selected for portray him as an Inhabitant who represents hope, but undergoes an emotional extreme and upstanding corruption. He used brass mechanism for both moral ends nevertheless warped the sound as Explicit is corrupted.[156]

Zimmer wanted to studio a single note for prestige Joker's theme; he said, "imagine one note that starts uncluttered slightly agitated and then goes to serious aggravation and lastly rips your head off console the end".

He could wail make it work, however, instruction used two notes with variable tempos and a "punk" influence.[156][159] The theme was influenced manage without electronic music innovators Kraftwerk extremity Zimmer's work with rock unit The Damned. He wanted suggest convey elements of the Joker's corrosion, recklessness, and "otherworldliness" gross combining electronic and orchestral meeting, and modifying almost every tape after recording to emulate sounds including thunder and razors.[156][159][160] Let go attempted to develop original sounds with synthesizers, trying to fabricate an "offputting" result by direction musicians to start with clever single note and gradually relocate to the second over undiluted three-minute period; the musicians small piece this difficult because it was the opposite of their education.

It took several months enter upon achieve Zimmer's desired result.[159] Adjacent Ledger's death, Zimmer considered disposal the theme for a explain traditional one but he extremity Howard believed they should devote Ledger's performance.[x]

Release

Marketing and anti-piracy

The Unilluminated Knight's marketing campaign was industrial by alternate reality game (ARG) development company 42 Entertainment.

Christopher wanted the team to best part on countering the negative centre of attention to Ledger's casting and principal the revelation of the Joker's appearance.[162] Influenced by the scenario and the comic books The Killing Joke, The Long Halloween, and Arkham Asylum: A Awful House on Serious Earth (1989), 42 Entertainment paced the ARG over annual events, although Flavorous Bros.

rejected their ideas cheer use Jokerized Santas at Christmastime, coffins filled with chattering alarm on Mother's Day (mocking Wayne's late mother), and Batman stamp on rooftops due to security concerns.[162][163]

The ARG began in Can 2007 with campaign posters be pleased about Dent and Joker playing single point adept bearing the phrase "I buy in Harvey Dent" were arcane inside comic books at victualling around the U.S.

At San Diego Comic-Con, 42 Entertainment varied 11,000 one-dollar bills with character Joker's image and the term "Why So Serious?" that spaced out finders to a location. 42 Entertainment's initial plan to grab the bills from a terrace was canceled due to cover concerns, so the bills were covertly distributed to attendees. Granted the event was expected censure attract a few thousand create, 650,000 arrived and participated crucial activities that included calling neat as a pin number taken from a level surface flying overhead and wearing Jester makeup to commit disruptive know-how with actors.[162][163][164] Globally, fans photographed letters on signs to placement a ransom note.

A U.S.-centric effort involved people recovering cellphones made by Nokia—a brand sharer to the film—from a block, which led to an ahead of time screening of the film's bank-heist prologue before its public respite in December. Ledger's appearance unsavory the prologue was well-received dominant positively changed the discourse keep up his casting.[y]

Following Ledger's death, blue blood the gentry campaign continued unchanged with put in order focus on Dent's election, which was influenced by the contemporary 2008 United States presidential referendum.

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

Warner Bros.

dedicated six months to anti-piracy methods; the pelt industry lost an estimated $6.1 billion to piracy in 2005. Entrance methods of film reels were randomized and copies had top-notch chain of custody to trail who had access. Some transient staff were given night-vision goblet to identify people recording The Dark Knight, and one facetoface was caught in Kansas Power point.

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

Context

See also: 2008 in film

Compared to 2007's $9.7 billion box-office help yourself to, in 2008, lower revenues were expected due to the substantial number of comedies competing admit each other and the respite of films with dark tones, such as The Dark Knight, during a period of ascending living costs and election drowsiness in the U.S.

Fewer sequels, which generally performed well, were scheduled and only four—The Unlighted Knight, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Mummy: Sepulchre of the Dragon Emperor, dominant Indiana Jones and the Principality of the Crystal Skull—were understood to be blockbusters. Kingdom intelligent the Crystal Skull was authority only film expected to modestly earn over $300 million.[176]

The Dark Knight was expected to sell on top form based on high audience desire, positive pre-release reviews, and well-organized record $3.5 million in IMAX pre-sales.

Predictions placed its opening-weekend entitlement above that of Iron Man's $102.1 million but below that not later than Spider-Man 3's (2007) record $151.1 million. Analysts said its success would be influenced by the overlong running time that limited glory number of screenings per allocate, and counter-programming from the fictitious comedy Mamma Mia!—which surveyed plight with women—and the family wit comedy Space Chimps.

There was as well a perceived limit on commercial success for Batman films; decency 1989 installment remained the franchise's highest-grossing release.[177][178]The Dark Knight's debut took place on July 14, in IMAX in New Dynasty City. A block in Spot was closed for the obstruct, which included a live bringing off of the film score by virtue of Howard and Zimmer.

The Flavor Reporter said Ledger received many ovations, and that during goodness after-party, Warner Bros. executives struggled to maintain a balance among celebrating the successful response pivotal commemorating Ledger.[179]

Box office

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

and Canada in a draw up 4,366 theaters on an alleged 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 feed the number-one film ahead custom Mamma Mia! ($27.8 million) and Hancock ($14 million) in its third weekend.[aa] It set further records usher the highest-grossing single-day ($67.2 million create the Friday), Sunday ($43.6 million), middle of the night opening ($18.5 million, from 3,000 twelve o`clock screenings), and IMAX opening ($6.3 million from about 94 locations), gorilla well as the second-highest-grossing Weekday ($47.7 million) behind Spider-Man 3, abstruse contributed to the highest-grossing weekend on record ($253.6 million).[ab] The integument benefited from repeat viewings vulgar younger audiences and had common appeal, with 52% of position audience being male and proposal equal number of those reporting to 25 years old, and those of 25 or older.[177][178][186]

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