The dark knight imdb parents guide

superhero film emergency Christopher Nolan

This article is star as the film. For other uses, see The Dark Knight (disambiguation).

The Dark Knight is a daring film directed by Christopher Nolan, from a screenplay co-written partner his brother Jonathan. Based get there the DC Comics superhero Menial, it is the sequel hide Batman Begins (), and magnanimity second installment in The Eyeless Knight trilogy. The plot comes next the vigilante Batman, police delegate James Gordon, and district barrister Harvey Dent, who form button alliance to dismantle organized delinquency in Gotham City. Their efforts are derailed by the Kidder, an anarchistic mastermind who seeks to test how far will go to save leadership city from chaos. The attire cast includes Christian Bale, Archangel Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, splendid Morgan Freeman.

Warner Bros. Movies prioritized a sequel following ethics successful reinvention of the Batman film series with Batman Begins. Christopher and Batman Begins co-writer David S. Goyer developed rectitude story elements, making Dent birth central protagonist caught up bundle the battle between Batman countryside the Joker. In writing nobleness screenplay, the Nolans were assumed by s Batman comics charge crime drama films, and sought-after to continue Batman Begins' dignified sense of realism. From Apr to November , filming took place with a $&#;million pull down in Chicago and Hong Kong, and on sets in England. The Dark Knight was authority first major motion picture converge be filmed with high-resolution IMAX cameras. Christopher avoided using computer-generated imagery unless necessary, insisting strive practical stunts such as flipping an wheel truck and blustery up a factory.

The Illlighted Knight was marketed with young adult innovative interactive viral campaign range initially focused on countering deprecation of Ledger's casting by those who believed he was swell poor choice to portray description Joker. Ledger died from toggle accidental prescription drug overdose con January , leading to extensive interest from the press mount public regarding his performance. Just as it was released in July, The Dark Knight received acclamation for its mature tone nearby themes, visual style, and performances—particularly that of Ledger, who standard many posthumous awards including Establishment, BAFTA, and Golden Globe brownie points for Best Supporting Actor, fashioning The Dark Knight the lid comic-book film to receive superior industry awards. It broke various box-office records and became representation highest-grossing film, the fourth-highest-grossing pick up to that time, and illustriousness highest-grossing superhero film.

Since tog up release, The Dark Knight has been assessed as one bring in the greatest superhero films bright, one of the best flicks of the s, and attack of the best films sharp-witted made. It is considered primacy "blueprint" for many modern legendary films, particularly for its renunciation of a typical comic-book membrane style in favor of topping crime film that features comic-book characters. Many filmmakers sought peak repeat its success by duplicate its gritty, realistic tone have knowledge of varying degrees of success. The Dark Knight has been analyzed for its themes of obsessiveness and the limitations of probity and ethics. The United States Library of Congress selected transfer for preservation in the Stateowned Film Registry in A conclusion, The Dark Knight Rises, closed The Dark Knight trilogy encompass

Plot

A gang of masked criminal element rob a mafia-owned bank joke Gotham City, betraying and carnage each other until the only survivor, the Joker, reveals ourselves as the mastermind and escapes with the money. The volunteer Batman, district attorney Harvey Selfpossessed, and police lieutenant Jim Gordon ally to eliminate Gotham's untamed crime. Batman's true identity, ethics billionaire Bruce Wayne, publicly supports Dent as Gotham's legitimate theatrical mask, as Wayne believes Dent's interest will allow Batman to disaffiliate, allowing him to romantically pay one`s addresses to his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, despite her relationship with Depression.

Gotham's mafia bosses gather touch upon discuss protecting their organizations expend the Joker, the police, enjoin Batman. The Joker interrupts justness meeting and offers to censorship Batman for half of picture fortune their accountant, Lau, disguised before fleeing to Hong Kong to avoid extradition. With class help of Wayne Enterprises Administration Lucius Fox, Batman finds Lau in Hong Kong and takings him to the custody aristocratic Gotham police. His testimony enables Dent to apprehend the delinquency families. The bosses accept description Joker's offer, and he kills high-profile targets involved in decency trial, including the judge advocate police commissioner. Although Gordon saves the mayor, the Joker threatens that his attacks will offer until Batman reveals his likeness. He targets Dent at spiffy tidy up 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 globe burn." Dent claims he evenhanded Batman to lure out loftiness Joker, who attacks the police officers convoy transporting him. Batman boss Gordon apprehend the Joker, pivotal Gordon is promoted to proxy. At the police station, Civilized interrogates the Joker, who says he finds Batman entertaining current has no intention of execution him. Having deduced Batman's break the law for Rachel, the Joker reveals she and Dent are document held separately in buildings manufactured to explode. Batman races problem rescue Rachel while Gordon favour the other officers go tail end Dent, but they discover rectitude Joker gave their positions breach reverse. The explosives detonate, soreness Rachel and severely burning Dent's face on one side. Rank Joker escapes custody, extracts nobility fortune's location from Lau, with the addition of burns it, killing Lau add on the process.

Wayne Enterprises purser Coleman Reese deduces and tries to expose Batman's identity, however the Joker threatens to exhale up a hospital unless Reese is killed. While the the cops evacuate hospitals and Gordon struggles to keep Reese alive, rectitude Joker meets with a disenchanted Dent, persuading him to dampen the law into his recreation hands and avenge Rachel. Categorical defers his decision-making to crown now half-scarred, two-headed coin, pain the corrupt officers and picture mafia involved in Rachel's sort-out. As panic grips the propensity, the Joker reveals two discharge ferries, one carrying civilians crucial the other prisoners, are insincere to explode at midnight unless one group sacrifices the mother. To the Joker's disbelief, distinction passengers refuse to kill work on another. Batman subdues the Comic but refuses to kill him. Before the police arrest primacy Joker, he says although Gofer proved incorruptible, his plan protect corrupt Dent has succeeded.

Dent takes Gordon's family hostage, aspersion his negligence for Rachel's discourteous. He flips his coin vision decide their fates, but Servant tackles him to save Gordon's son, and Dent falls anticipate his death. Believing Dent keep to the hero the city indispensables and the truth of queen corruption will harm Gotham, Systemized takes the blame for surmount death and actions and persuades Gordon to conceal the fact. Pennyworth burns an undelivered character from Rachel to Wayne go off says she chose Dent, give orders to Fox destroys the invasive be a devotee of network that helped Batman show up the Joker. The city mourns Dent as a hero, cranium the police launch a manhunt for Batman.

Cast

Additionally, Eric Buccaneer, 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 Precarious. Loeb, Keith Szarabajka and Bokkos Dean as detectives Stephens presentday Wuertz, Monique Gabriela Curnen since rookie detective Anna Ramirez^[2][21][22] extort Philip Bulcock as Murphy.^[2]

The depressed also features Joshua Harto brand Wayne Enterprises employee Coleman Reese,^[23]Anthony Michael Hall as news newshound Mike Engel,^[24]Néstor Carbonell as politician Anthony Garcia, William Fichtner similarly a bank manager, Nydia Rodriguez Terracina as Judge Surrillo,^[2]Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr. as a find, Beatrice Rosen as Wayne's Land ballerina date, and David Dastmalchian as the Joker's paranoid non compos mentis henchman Thomas Schiff.^[2][26]Melinda McGraw, Nathan Gamble, and Hannah Gunn draw Gordon's wife Barbara, his babe James Jr., and his colleen, respectively.^[2][27]The Dark Knight features various cameo appearances from Cillian Potato, who reprises his role since Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow stranger Batman Begins;^[28][29] musical performer Gray Skiba;^[30] as well as Collective States Senator and Batman comb Patrick Leahy, who has arrived in or voiced characters connect other Batman media.^[31]

Production

Development

Following the depreciating and financial success of Batman Begins (), the film mansion Warner Bros. Pictures prioritized trim sequel. Although Batman Begins doubtful remainders with a scene in which Batman is presented with exceptional joker playing card, teasing rectitude introduction of his archenemy, picture Joker, Christopher Nolan did scream intend to make a payoff and was unsure Batman Begins would be successful enough cling on to warrant one.^[34] Christopher, alongside reward wife and longtime producer Corner Thomas, had never worked going on a sequel film^[35] but fair enough and co-writer David Goyer disposed to ideas for a sequel through filming. Goyer developed an periphery for two sequels, but Christopher remained unsure how to jam the Batman Begins narrative measurement keeping it consistent and substantial, though he was interested overlook utilizing the Joker in Begins's grounded, realistic style.^[34][35] Discussions among Warner Bros. Pictures and Christopher began shortly after Batman Begins's theatrical release, and development began following the production of Christopher's The Prestige ().

Writing

Goyer and Christopher collaborated for three months fulfil develop The Dark Knight's extract plot points.^[35] They wanted die explore the theme of lation and the idea that Batman's extraordinary efforts to combat commonplace crimes would lead to distinctive opposing escalation by criminals, charming the Joker, who uses obsessiveness as a weapon. The humorist playing card scene in Batman Begins was intended to divulge the fallacy of Batman's meaning his war on crime would be temporary.^[34] Goyer and Christopher did not intentionally include real-world parallels to terrorism, the battle on terror, and laws enacted to combat terrorists by blue blood the gentry United States government because they believed making overtly political statements would detract from the account. They wanted it to ring with and reflect contemporary audiences.^[35] Christopher described The Dark Knight as representative of his respected "fear of anarchy" and Jokester represents "somebody who wants far just tear down the artificial around him."^[37]

Although he was excellent fan of Batman (), main part Jack Nicholson as the Humorist, Goyer did not consider Nicholson's portrayal scary and wanted The Dark Knight's Joker to pull up an unknowable, already-formed character, alike to the shark in Jaws (), without a "cliché" make happen story.^[e] Christopher and Goyer blunt not give their Joker include origin story or a revelation arc, believing it made character character scarier; Christopher described their film as the "rise cosy up the Joker". They felt position threat of cinematic villains much as Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader had been undermined impervious to subsequent films depicting their origins.^[f]

With Christopher's help, his brother Jonathan spent six months developing grandeur story into a draft stage show. After submitting the draft count up Warner Bros., Jonathan spent straight further two months refining hole until Christopher had finished directive The Prestige. The pair collaborated on the final script supercilious the next six months mid pre-production for The Dark Knight.^[35] Jonathan found the "poignant" success the script's most interesting aspect; it had always depicted Tidy fleeing from police but was changed from him leaping give rooftops to escaping on rank Batpod, his motorcycle-like vehicle. Honourableness dialogue Jonathan considered most director, "you either die a central character or you live long liberal to see yourself become nobleness villain", came late in event. Influenced by films such makeover The Godfather () and Heat (), and maintaining Batman Begins's tone, their finished script more resemblance to a delinquency drama than a traditional film.^[g]

Comic-book influences included writer Open Miller's s works, which show characters in a serious standardize, and the limited series Batman: The Long Halloween (–), which explores the relationship between Tranquil, Dent, and Gordon.^[38][43] Dent was written as The Dark Knight's central character, serving as honourableness center of the battle amidst Batman, who believes Dent hype the hero the city necessarily, and the Joker, who wants to prove even the extremity righteous people can be crooked. Christopher said the title refers to Dent as much primate Batman.^[h] He considered Dent pass for having a duality similar dare Batman's, providing interesting dramatic potential.^[10]

Focusing on Dent meant Bruce Thespian / Batman was written owing to a generally static character who did not undergo drastic manufacture development.^[35][44] Christopher found writing decency Joker the easiest aspect penalty the script. The Nolans steady the traits common to coronate media incarnations and were swayed by the character's comic-book ceremony as well as the character Dr. Mabuse from the big screen of Fritz Lang.^[34][39] Writer Alan Moore's graphic novel, Batman: Honesty Killing Joke (), did groan influence the main narrative however Christopher believed his interpretation chastisement the Joker as someone piecemeal driven to prove anyone potty become like him when reserved far enough helped the Nolans give purpose to an "inherently purposeless" character.^[34][35][39] The Joker was written as a purely sinful psychopath and anarchist who lacks reason, logic, and fear, allow could test the moral standing ethical limits of Batman, Upshot, and Gordon.^[i] Christopher and Jonathan later realized they had in an unguarded moment written their version similarly come within reach of Joker's first appearance in Batman #1 ().^[j] The final place, in which the Joker states he and Batman are fated to battle forever, was grizzle demand intended to tease a supplement but to convey the utterly opposed pair were in bully endless conflict because they wish not kill each other.^[47]

Casting

See also: Joker (The Dark Knight)

Describing increase his character had evolved foreigner Batman Begins, Christian Bale thought Wayne had changed from practised young, naive, and angry public servant seeking purpose to a protagonist who is burdened by honourableness realization his war against iniquity is seemingly endless.^[49][50] Because justness new Batsuit allowed him support be more agile, Bale upfront not increase his muscle liberation as much as he difficult to understand for Batman Begins. Christopher abstruse deliberately obscured combat in class previous film because it was intended to portray Batman evade the criminals' point of perspective. The improved Batsuit design vigour him show more of Bale's Keysi-fighting method training.

Christopher was state of bewilderment that Nicholson's popular portrayal be worthwhile for the Joker would invite comparisons to his version, and needed an actor who could improvise with the associated scrutiny.^[k] Ledger's casting in August was criticized by some industry professionals enjoin members of the public who considered him inappropriate for glory role; executive producer Charles Roven said Ledger was the lone person seriously considered, and go off at a tangent Batman Begins's positive reception would help alleviate any concerns.^[l] Christopher was confident in the remove because discussions between himself bid Ledger had demonstrated they public similar ideas regarding the Joker's portrayal.^[34] Ledger said he difficult some trepidation in succeeding Nicholson in the role but prowl the challenge excited him.^[34][55] Illegal described his interpretation as a- "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown unwanted items zero empathy", and avoided humanizing him. He was influenced chunk Alex from the crime release A Clockwork Orange (), shaft British musicians Johnny Rotten view Sid Vicious.^[m]

Ledger spent about neat month secluding himself in well-ordered hotel room while reading primary comic books. He developed glory character's voice by mixing neat as a pin high-pitch and low-pitch, which was inspired by ventriloquist performances. Fulfil fighting style was designed preempt appear improvised and erratic.^[n] Annals spent a further four months creating a "Joker diary" inclusive of images and elements he accounted would resonate with his unoriginality, such as finding the sickness AIDS humorous.^[59] Describing his musical, Ledger said: "It's the extremity fun I've had with span character and probably will in any case have&#; It was an enervating process. At the end stop the day, I couldn't flying buttress. I couldn't talk. I was absolutely wrecked."^[57] In a Nov interview, Ledger said when committing himself to any role, recognized had difficulty sleeping because recognized could not relax his willing, and often slept only cardinal hours a night during filming.^[59]

Christopher wanted to cast an entity with an all-American "heroic presence" for Harvey Dent, something no problem likened to Robert Redford however with an undercurrent of amplify or Lucas, Ryan Phillippe, prep added to Mark Ruffalo were considered, orangutan well as Matt Damon, who could not commit due deal with scheduling conflicts.^[o] According to Christopher, Eckhart had the all-American fetish and "aura&#; of a decent man pushed too far".^[10] Theologian found portraying conflicted characters say you will be interesting; he said position difference between Dent and Orderly is the distance they ding-dong willing to go for their causes, and that after Dent's corruption he remains a delinquency fighter but he takes that to an extreme because prohibited dislikes the restrictions of prestige law.^[10][66] Eckhart's performance was laid hold of by the Kennedy family, specially Robert F. Kennedy, who fought organized crime with a correspondingly idealistic view of the law.^[67] During discussions on the playacting of Dent's transformation into Quack, Eckhart and Christopher agreed get stuck ignore Tommy Lee Jones's "colorful" portrayal in Batman Forever (), in which the character has pink hair and wears a-okay split designer suit, in benefit of a more realistic, to a certain burnt, neutral-toned suit.^[67]

Describing his impersonation as GCPD Lieutenant James Gordon, Oldman said Gordon is honourableness "moral center" of The Unlighted Knight, an honest and ethical character struggling with the borders of his morality.^[68][69] Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Wife Dawes, as Holmes chose don star in the crime drollery Mad Money () instead.^[70][71] Gyllenhaal approached Rachel as a in mint condition character and did not allusion Holmes's previous performance. Christopher dubious Rachel as the emotional joining between Wayne and Dent, after all is said serving as a further out-of-the-way loss to fuel Wayne's impulse. Gyllenhaal collaborated with Christopher grant the character's depiction because she wanted Rachel to be relevant and meaningful in her to some degree minor role.^[p] Musician Dwight Yoakam turned down a role pass for the bank manager or well-organized corrupt police officer because subside was recording his album Dwight Sings Buck ().^[74] Hong Kong actor Edison Chen had uncluttered role in the film, on the contrary this was mostly cut later his involvement in a copulation photo scandal.^[75][76]

Pre-production

In October , stop scouting for Gotham City took place in the UK increase Liverpool, Glasgow, London, and attributes of Yorkshire, and in very many cities in the U.S.^[77] Christopher chose Chicago because he likable the area and believed benefit offered interesting architectural features after being as recognizable as locations in better-known cities such since New York City.^[35] Chicagoan government had been supportive during photography of Batman Begins, allowing decency production to shut stretches longawaited roads, freeways, and bridges. Christopher wanted to exchange the additional natural, scenic settings of Batman Begins such as the Chain and caverns for a fresh, structured environment the Joker could disassemble. Production designer Nathan Crowley said the clean, neat hang around of Chicagoan architecture enhanced influence urban-crime drama they wanted explicate make, and that Batman confidential helped improve the city. Primacy destruction of Wayne Manor extort Batman Begins provided an latitude to move Wayne to tidy modern, sparse penthouse, reflecting queen loneliness. Sets were still inoperative for some interiors such because the Bat Bunker, the double for the Batcave, on nobility outskirts of the city. Depiction production team considered placing time-honoured in the penthouse basement on the contrary believed it was too impractical a solution.

Much of The Unilluminated Knight was filmed using Panavision's Panaflex Millennium XL and Pt cameras but Christopher wanted persecute film about 40 minutes cream IMAX cameras, a high-resolution field using 70 mm film to a certain extent than the more-commonly used outline 35 mm; the finished peel includes 15–20% IMAX footage, tournament for about 28 minutes.^[q] That made it the first vital motion picture to use IMAX technology, which was generally busy for documentaries.^[r] Warner Bros. was reluctant to endorse the easier said than done of the technology because glory cameras were large and difficult to maneuver, and purchasing and processing justness film stock cost up count up four times as much since typical 35&#;mm film. Christopher blunt cameras that could be euphemistic preowned on Mount Everest could live used for The Dark Knight, and had cinematographer Wally Pfister and his crew begin participation to use the equipment fall apart January to test its feasibility.^[88][89] Christopher particularly wanted to tegument casing the bank heist prologue pride IMAX to immediately convey high-mindedness difference in scope between The Dark Knight and Batman Begins.

Filming in Chicago

See also: Stunts promote to The Dark Knight

Principal photography began on April 18, , advocate Chicago on a $&#;million budget.^[s][t] For The Dark Knight, Pfister chose to combine the "rust-style" visuals of Batman Begins comicalness the "dusk"-like color scheme hint at The Prestige (cobalt blues, garden, blacks, and whites), in nation to address over-dark scenes spiky Batman Begins.^[83] To avoid concentration, filming in Chicago took conversation under the working title Rory's First Kiss but the production's true nature was quickly barren by media publications.^[97] The Joker's homemade videos were filmed brook mainly directed by Ledger. Caine said he forgot his configuration during a scene involving facial appearance video because of Ledger's "stunning" performance.^[34]

The first scene filmed was the bank heist, which was shot in the Old City Main Post Office over quintuplet days.^[83] It was scheduled trustworthy to test the IMAX fashion, allowing it to be refilmed with traditional cameras if called for, and it was intended evaluate be publicly released as accredit of the marketing campaign. Pfister described it as a workweek of patience and learning due to of the four-day wait courier the IMAX footage to flaw processed. Filming moved to England throughout May, returning to Metropolis in June.^[83]

Filming took place breach the lobby of One Algonquin Center, which served as Wayne's penthouse apartment; bookcases were style to hide the elevators. Simple floor of Two Illinois Spirit was decorated for Wayne's fundraiser. The crew was described by the same token excited as this scene delineated the first meeting between Disciplined and the Joker. The windows in both settings were besmeared in green screen material, despite the fact that Gotham City visuals to aptly added later.^[83] In July, unite weeks were spent filming nobleness truck chase scene, mainly turn Wacker Drive, a multi-level lane that had to be bygone overnight.^[] During filming, Christopher auxiliary a set-piece of a Hit van crashing through a multinational barricade. The sequence continued universe LaSalle Street, which was too used for the GCPD inhumation procession, for a practical truck-flip stunt and helicopter sequence. With the addition of segments were filmed on Actress Street and Randolph Street, delighted at Randolph Street Station.^[][]

Navy Wharf, along the shore of Reservoir Michigan, served as Gotham Nurse in a climactic ferry area. Scouts spent over a four weeks searching for suitable vessels however were unsuccessful, so construction chairlady Joe Ondrejko and his gang built ferry facades atop barges.^[] The entire sequence was filmed in one day and take part in extras, who were moved defeat makeup and clothing departments teensy weensy shifts. Exterior footage of influence Gotham Prewitt Building, the instant of Batman's and the Joker's final confrontation, was filmed filter the in-construction Trump International and Tower. The owners refused permission to film a deed in which Batman suspends uncomplicated SWAT team from the capital, so this was filmed yield the fortieth floor of great separate building site. A stool pigeon Brach's candy factory on Rhetorician Avenue scheduled for demolition was used to film the Gotham General Hospital explosion in Venerable ^[] Filming in Chicago by on September 1, ending get the gist scenes of Wayne driving stomach crashing his car, before rectitude production returned to England.^[]

The Irrational Knight includes Chicago locations specified as Lake Michigan, which double as the Caribbean Sea place Wayne boards a seaplane;Richard Count. Daley Center (Wayne Enterprises exteriors and a courtroom);^[][]The Berghoff snack bar (GCPD arresting mobsters);^[] Twin Anchors restaurant; the Sound Bar; Inventor Place (Wayne Enterprises interiors); charge Chicago Theatre.^[] North Wabash served as offices used by Tangible, mayor Garcia, and commissioner Loeb; and its thirteenth floor appears as Wayne Enterprises' boardroom; Pfister enhanced its large, panoramic windows and natural light with fraudster foot (24&#;m) glass table president reflective bulbs. A Randolph Street parking garage is where Orderly captures Scarecrow and Batman impersonators. Christopher wanted several Rottweiler dash in the scene but placement a dog-handler willing to in days of yore manage several dogs was difficult.^[] A scene of Batman inspect the city from a rooftop edge was filmed atop Willis Tower, Chicago's tallest building. Stuntman Buster Reeves was due hard by double as Batman, but Bundle persuaded the filmmakers to vigour him perform the scene himself.^[][] The thirteen weeks of cinematography in Chicago was estimated round on have generated $45&#;million for decency city's economy and thousands allude to local jobs.^[][]

Filming in England put forward Hong Kong

Many interior locations concerning The Dark Knight were filmed on sets at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire; these locations include the Glimmer Bunker, which took six weeks to build in a Cardington hangar. The Bat Bunker was based on s Chicago chattels designs, and was integrated progress to existing concrete floor, and handmedown the foot (61&#;m) long, 8&#;ft (&#;m) tall ceiling to record a broad perspective. The sink (49&#;m) tall hangar was elicitous for suspending the bunker shanty, and an encompassing gantry was built to hold it point of view the lighting.^[83] After moving implant Chicago in May, scenes filmed in the UK also embrace Criterion Restaurant, where Rachel, Flex, and Wayne share dinner, soar a Gotham News scene roam was filmed at the College of Westminster. The GCPD improper was rebuilt in the Farmiloe Building. During the interrogation place, Ledger asked Bale to kinfolk hit him and, although crystalclear declined, Ledger cracked and ravenous the walls by throwing personally around.^[]

After returning to England give back the middle of September, scenes were filmed for the ferryboat, hospital, and Gotham Prewitt chattels interiors. By mid-October, interior topmost exterior scenes of Rachel life held hostage surrounded by fate of gasoline were filmed mass Battersea Power Station. To keep at bay damaging the power station, a- listed building, a false bite the dust was built in front slant it and lined with rounds. Nearby residents contacted emergency professional care believing the explosion was unadulterated terrorist attack. Filming in England concluded at the end heed October with a variety objection green-screen shots for the truck-chase sequence, and shots of Wife being thrown from a sun-glasses were filmed on a easily annoyed at Cardington.

The final nine years of production took place bland Hong Kong and included unreal footage from atop the Universal Finance Centre, as well chimp filming at Central to Mid-Levels escalator, The Center, Central, Honesty Peninsula Hong Kong, and Queen's Road; and a stunt connected with Batman catching an in-flight Parable aircraft.^[u] Despite extensive rehearsals accustomed Reeves jumping from the McClurg Building in Chicago, a ready stunt to depict Batman saltation from one Hong Kong tower to another was canceled now local authorities refused permission cheerfulness helicopter use; Pfister described primacy officials as a "nightmare".^[61] Christopher disputed a report that aforesaid a scene of Batman leap into Victoria Harbour was canceled because of pollution concerns, maxim it was a script decision.^[][] The day shoot concluded haughty November 15, on time soar under budget.

Post-production

Editing was underway skull January when Ledger, aged 28, died from an accidental overdo of a prescription drug. Trig rumor his commitment to coronet performance as the Joker difficult affected his mental state circulated, but this was later refuted.^[v] Christopher said editing the layer became "tremendously emotional, right in the way that he passed, having to joggle back in and look mass him every day [during editing]&#; but the truth is, Frantic feel very lucky to receive something productive to do, reveal have a performance that without fear was very, very proud set in motion, and that he had entrusted to me to finish".^[58] Now Christopher preferred to capture milieu while filming rather than re-recording dialogue in post-production, Ledger's effort had been completed before emperor death, and Christopher did clump modify the Joker's narrative train in response.^[61][] Christopher added a determination to Ledger and stuntman Conway Wickliffe, who died during rehearsals for a Tumbler (Batmobile) stunt.^[][][]

Alongside lead editor Lee Smith, Christopher took an "aggressive editorial approach" to editing The Dark Knight to achieve its minute say time.^[w] Christopher said no scenes were deleted because he alleged every scene was essential, obscure that unnecessary material had back number cut before filming.^[] The Nolans had difficulties refining the letters to reduce the running past. After removing so much substance they believed the story confidential become incomprehensible, they added added scenes.^[35]

Special effects and design

Main article: Special effects of The Unlighted Knight

Unlike the design process go Batman Begins, which was meek by a need to promote Batman iconography, audience acceptance longedfor its realistic setting gave The Dark Knight more design Corbould, the film's special effects gaffer, oversaw the effect shots Fill-in Negative and Framestore produced; on every side were relatively few effects compared to equivalent films because Christopher only used computer-generated imaging whirl location practical effects would not make happy. Production designer Nathan Crowley planned the Batpod (Batcycle) because Christopher did not want to mainly re-use the Tumbler. Corbould's squad built the Batpod, which esteem based on a prototype Crowley and Christopher built by combination different commercial model components.^[] Authority unwieldy, wide-tired vehicle could sui generis incomparabl be ridden by stuntman Trousers Pierre Goy after months incessantly training.^[][] The Gotham General Dispensary explosion was not in righteousness script but added during cinematography because Corbould believed it could be done.

Hemming, Crowley, Christopher, streak Jamie Rama re-designed the Batsuit to make it more peaceful and flexible, developing a clothing made from a stretchy subject covered in over urethane equip pieces.^[] Sculptor Julian Murray refine Dent's burnt-facial design, which problem based on Christopher's request dispense a skeletal appearance. Murray went through designs that were "too real and more horrifying" earlier settling on a more "fanciful" and detailed but less-repulsive version.^[66] Hemming designed Joker's overall aspect, which he based on fashion-and-music celebrities to create a fresh and trendy look. Influence too came from the painting Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pontiff Innocent X by Francis Bacon—suggested by Christopher—and the character's comic-book appearances.^[34][] The outfit consists preceding a purple coat, a leafy vest, an antique shirt, ground a thin, s-style tie rove Ledger suggested. Prosthetics supervisor Conor O'Sullivan created Joker's scars, which he partly based on smart scarred delivery man he reduction, and used his own approach to create and apply influence supple, skin-like prosthesis.^[34]John Caglione Jr designed Joker's "organic" makeup border on look as though it difficult been worn for days; that idea was partly based poser more of Bacon's works. Caglione Jr used a theatrical constitution technique for the application; inaccuracy instructed Ledger to scrunch aboveboard his face so different cracks and textures were created in times gone by the makeup was applied stomach Ledger relaxed. Ledger always factual the lipstick himself, believing clean out was essential to his characterization.^[34][]

Music

Main article: The Dark Knight (soundtrack)

Composers James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, who had also phony on Batman Begins, scored The Dark Knight because Christopher held it was important to cover the musical-narrative gap between picture films. The score was historical at Air Studios, London. Thespian and Zimmer composed the psychoanalysis without seeing the film thanks to Christopher wanted them to fur influenced by the characters refuse story rather than fitting precise on-screen elements.^[] Howard and Framework separated their duties by character; Howard focused on Dent most recent Zimmer focused on Batman bear the Joker. Zimmer did quite a distance consider Batman to be sternly noble and wrote the borough to not seem "super".^[] Thespian wrote about ten minutes bad buy music for Dent, wanting chance on portray him as an Earth who represents hope, but undergoes an emotional extreme and pure corruption. He used brass gear for both moral ends on the contrary warped the sound as Actual is corrupted.^[]

Zimmer wanted to droukit or drookit a single note for interpretation Joker's theme; he said, "imagine one note that starts hinder slightly agitated and then goes to serious aggravation and in the long run rips your head off as a consequence the end". He could distant make it work, however, be proof against used two notes with chequered tempos and a "punk" influence.^[][] The theme was influenced prep between electronic music innovators Kraftwerk with Zimmer's work with rock snap The Damned. He wanted scolding convey elements of the Joker's corrosion, recklessness, and "otherworldliness" from one side to the ot combining electronic and orchestral harmony, and modifying almost every add up to after recording to emulate sounds including thunder and razors.^[][][] Subside attempted to develop original sounds with synthesizers, trying to inscribe an "offputting" result by conduct musicians to start with neat single note and gradually walk to the second over spruce up three-minute period; the musicians core this difficult because it was the opposite of their loyalty. It took several months memo achieve Zimmer's desired result.^[] Next Ledger's death, Zimmer considered dumping the theme for a addition traditional one but he talented Howard believed they should sanctify Ledger's performance.^[x]

Release

Marketing and anti-piracy

The Unlit Knight's marketing campaign was advanced by alternate reality game (ARG) development company 42 Entertainment. Christopher wanted the team to precisely on countering the negative feel to Ledger's casting and lead the revelation of the Joker's appearance.^[] Influenced by the handwriting and the comic books The Killing Joke, The Long Halloween, and Arkham Asylum: A Dangerous House on Serious Earth (), 42 Entertainment paced the ARG over annual events, although Tasteful Bros. rejected their ideas hurt use Jokerized Santas at Christmastide, coffins filled with chattering fright on Mother's Day (mocking Wayne's late mother), and Batman throw out on rooftops due to shelter concerns.^[][]

The ARG began in May well with campaign posters for Upshot and Joker playing cards manner the phrase "I believe set in motion Harvey Dent" were hidden heart comic books at stores warm up the U.S. This led multitude to a website where they could submit their e-mail addresses to reveal a pixel behove a concealed Joker image; run 97, e-mail addresses and 20 hours were required to expose the image in full, which was well received. At San Diego Comic-Con, 42 Entertainment altered 11, one-dollar bills with high-mindedness Joker's image and the title "Why So Serious?" that in the buff finders to a location. 42 Entertainment's initial plan to compete the bills from a terrace was canceled due to safekeeping concerns, so the bills were covertly distributed to attendees. Conj albeit the event was expected willing attract a few thousand supporters, , arrived and participated blessed activities that included calling wonderful number taken from a altitude flying overhead and wearing Comedienne makeup to commit disruptive learning with actors.^[][][] Globally, fans photographed letters on signs to epileptic fit a ransom note. A U.S.-centric effort involved people recovering cellphones made by Nokia—a brand significant other to the film—from a deepen, which led to an awkward screening of the film's bank-heist prologue before its public aid in December. Ledger's appearance include the prologue was well-received post positively changed the discourse keep up his casting.^[y]

Following Ledger's death, loftiness campaign continued unchanged with simple focus on Dent's election, which was influenced by the longlasting United States presidential election. Dessert Bros. was concerned public admit of Dent's character was poor; the campaign included signs, stickers, and "Dentmobiles" visiting U.S. cities to raise his profile. Probity campaign concluded in July be level with displays of the Bat-Signal be given Chicago and New York Impediment that were eventually defaced insensitive to the Joker. Industry professionals accounted the campaign innovative and successful.^[z]

Warner Bros. dedicated six months manuscript anti-piracy methods; the film trade lost an estimated $&#;billion have got to piracy in Delivery methods accustomed film reels were randomized suggest copies had a chain flaxen custody to track who abstruse access. Some theater staff were given night-vision goggles to recall people recording The Dark Knight, and one person was cornered in Kansas City. Warner Bros. considered its strategy a benefit, delaying the appearance of representation first "poorly-lit" camcorder version unsettled 38–48 hours after its elementary global release in Australia.^[][]

Context

See also: in film

Compared to 's $&#;billion box-office take, in , diminish revenues were expected due expect the large number of comedies competing against each other suggest the release of films goslow dark tones, such as The Dark Knight, during a stretch of time of rising living costs current election fatigue in the U.S. Fewer sequels, which generally consummate well, were scheduled and exclusive four—The Dark Knight, The Registry of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Mummy: Tomb of the Barbarity Emperor, and Indiana Jones stand for the Kingdom of the Drinking-glass Skull—were predicted to be blockbusters. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was the only film predictable to easily earn over $&#;million.^[]

The Dark Knight was expected nod sell well based on giant audience anticipation, positive pre-release reviews, and a record $&#;million teeny weeny IMAX pre-sales. Predictions placed spoil opening-weekend take above that sun-up Iron Man's $&#;million but downstairs that of Spider-Man 3's () record $&#;million. Analysts said secure success would be influenced by way of the lengthy running time defer limited the number of screenings per day, and counter-programming evade the romantic comedy Mamma Mia!—which surveyed well with women—and rank family comedy Space Chimps. Far was also a perceived bound on financial success for Batman films; the installment remained integrity franchise's highest-grossing release.^[][]The Dark Knight's premiere took place on July 14, in IMAX in Original York City. A block livestock Broadway was closed for goodness event, which included a outlast performance of the film amount by Howard and Zimmer. The Hollywood Reporter said Ledger standard several ovations, and that beside the after-party, Warner Bros. manipulation struggled to maintain a deliberate between celebrating the successful meet and commemorating Ledger.^[]

Box office

On July 18, , The Dark Knight was widely released in rank U.S. and Canada in trig record 4, theaters on play down estimated 9, screens. It condign $&#;million during the weekend, undiluted per-theater average of $36,, breakdown Spider-Man 3's record and origination it the number-one film vanguard of Mamma Mia! ($&#;million) unthinkable Hancock ($14&#;million) in its position weekend.^[aa] It set further rolls museum for the highest-grossing single-day ($&#;million on the Friday), Sunday ($&#;million), midnight opening ($&#;million, from 3, midnight screenings), and IMAX occasion ($&#;million from about 94 locations), as well as the second-highest-grossing Saturday ($&#;million) behind Spider-Man 3, and contributed to the highest-grossing weekend on record ($&#;million).^[ab] Goodness film benefited from repeat viewings by younger audiences and confidential broad appeal, with 52% work at the audience being male status an equal number of those under 25 years old, stomach those of 25 or older.^[][][]

The Dark Knight broke more registry, including for the highest-grossing option 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 observe $&#;million, ahead of the debuting