LogFAQs > #905558164

It's the only time in the history of comic book movies when an apparent miscast turned out to not be a miscast. Also, as good as the role was, that was not the Joker. People felt cheated at a first glance because that was not the character they were used to and he wasn't. But people forgave the artistic liberties because it was the best villain performance of the 2000s and, yes, because the actor had died.

It was just kind of a hushed whisper at the time that the character had nothing in common with any prior incarnation of the Joker beyond color scheme and underlining motivation. Had Heath Ledger lived, I think the movie's dramatic reimagining of the Joker would've been a lot more controversial. Maybe I'm wrong about that. We'll never know.

But to act like everybody was wrong and we should withhold judgment is silly. 9 times out of 10, your first instincts will be correct. If a scrawny guy gets called to play the hulking henchman, or a 22 year old is cast to play an 88 year old scientist, there's an overwhelming possibility that the final result will be just as terrible as you would imagine.