Heath Ledger & The Dark Knight Opening Scene

Actor William Fichtner talks to Chris Van Vliet about his experience filming The Dark Knight open scene with Christopher Nolan and his take on Heath Ledger’s Joker
#thedarkknight #heathledger #thejoker #batman

[@Venom-lr3sq]

This man is an amazing underrated actor. Carried Prison Break on his back the moment he showed up.

[@blinkq_530]

nah no way imo the show was fine but he did do a great job tbf

[@sealife12]

Absolutely

[@saqib7965]

​@@blinkq_530 first season was unmatched

[@MrGreenwald]

Omg PRISON BREAK!!! Argh I feel so old 😂

[@FrostonKk]

​@@blinkq_530 show was great i agree but the matching up with the MC toe to toe on the mind battlefield was insane mad for a really good cat n mouse setting in prison break

[@tangofett4065]

William Fichter will forever be “that guy that was in that one movie”. He’s great in everything that he’s in, but it feels like he’s never been given the credit he deserves.

[@TheGrimmCommoner]

Wasn't he in The Longest Yard as the guard captain?

[@ryanmarshall3487]

I wrote and hosted a weekly bar trivia night for about 4 years, and my favorite category was always “Actors/Actresses You Know, but Don’t Know” and he was always my favorite to put up, because people would be screaming out his roles and quotes.

[@MissouriRodeoCowboy]

If Ledger lived, I felt that Fichter, could have been a introduction of the Creeper, remember what, Joker said what doesn't kill you, makes you weirder!

[@TheGrimmCommoner]

@@MissouriRodeoCowboy Jack Ryder the opportunist reporter is The Creeper.

[@bayurhegiana6969]

@@TheGrimmCommoner and as the QB as well

[@mauricobian]

I quote that all the time, "you and ya friends are deaaad"

[@wacpj1929]

Do you happen to watch AH?

[@papafreshly]

Me toooo! 😆

[@ecurb_pool]

“He’s out right??”

[@zekesanchez1851]

Why so serious?

[@ryanvanbeek2673]

@@ecurb_pool “Nods his head very fast”

[@bhchen3079]

William Fichter is an underrated actor, fantastic character actor

[@viperrecords3288]

Yes he is. He’s great in everything he’s in.

[@thebatman6835]

One of the best

[@gfc_wd0129]

Gotta love him in Black Hawk Down

[@Njbear7453]

Armageddon 😻😻

[@faithcastillo9597]

I remember him in Perfect Storm. It wasn't a big role, but it's important in establishing a certain amount of shipboard friction between crew mates.

[@orlandmalon1409]

That's the reaction you want from your branch manager 😅

[@Lance1972]

That's why he IS the branch manager

[@eligebrown8998]

👍👍👍

[@guyonthecouch136]

Underrated comment

[@Stoney0423]

Real talk

[@benjamindavis2475]

Hilarious

[@TheDalinkwent]

Amazing how he was given such a small role and Nolan still didn't waste his talent. Its an iconic opening.

[@TSmith-yy3cc]

Really well said.

[@anthony8241]

Heath Ledger is a fucking legend man. Really wish he was still here today to continue his craft. Absolutely goated

[@JohnDoe-qz1ql]

I wonder if That is precisely why he died?? Ledger's rocker was Way loose. Wonder if they took advantage...

[@connorbaz5980]

​@@JohnDoe-qz1qlinteresting. I know at those higher levels people can get quite back-stabby and so on.

[@gonzarellious6102]

@@JohnDoe-qz1ql He wasn't affected by this movie. He was mixing prescription medications and overdosed.

[@allanaruba]

​@@gonzarellious6102Exactly that. Apparently he was on sleeping medication which he'd built up a resistance to so the dosage had been increased over time. Then he had an injury, so was given painkillers. The cocktail became fatal sadly 😓

[@eligebrown8998]

He was definitely on the rise.

[@Balouthegreat]

This man is the most unknown Legend. William Fichter. Let’s see Black Hawk Down Armageddon The Longest Yard Independence Day 1-2 Blades of Glory Contact The Neighbor Heat Fucking Equilibrium!!!! Dark knight tie in, with Christian Bale WITNESS HIM!!!!!!!!!

[@Venom-lr3sq]

Prison Break. He is absolutely phenomenal in it.

[@Balouthegreat]

@@Venom-lr3sq how could I forget. Yes he was, the man was a menace to the escapees.

[@connordean4896]

The lone ranger

[@Balouthegreat]

@@connordean4896 downright despicable in the Lone Ranger this dude has range, underrated but very swollen movie.

[@ronshine7902]

He was also excellent in The Perfect Storm.

[@ArtificialDreams3]

“I love what he’s doing.” Us too. Us too friend. RIP HEATH

[@jdp3578]

the character he plays in dark knight is probably the gutsiest bank worker in fiction. pulls out a shotgun against thugs in Gotham of all places. I'm still curious about the characters background. Also he's hilarious in the show Mom....

[@cordan305]

The reason he says “Do you have any idea who you’re stealing from?” is because they’re taking mob money and that’s who he’s working for

[@derpoblizist9076]

Iirc, they said in the movie that the bank was owned by the mafia

[@Mr.Honest247]

@@derpoblizist9076Don’t need to be a mafia anything to be bold and badass. You just need to make up your mind to BE IT. Badass is a decision and MINDSET. Don’t need to be a part of a group to become that!

[@gonzarellious6102]

@@Mr.Honest247 it's a mob bank. He knows it's a mob bank. You think a random bank worker has a sawed off in his office? GTFOH. He's one of the criminals.

[@Lance1972]

​@@Mr.Honest247Had he not pulled that shotgun and started blasting the Mafia would have ended him anyways.

[@Nick64266]

Such a small role but so memorable. You can tell how grateful he was to be a part of it

[@gman2015z]

Still my favorite movie of all time.

[@edgarramirez9113]

Forever will be.

[@boyd4402]

Timeless.

[@RB-f]

Mine as well

[@Dannamal-hc8pu]

Still up there as one of the best of all time.

[@greenlukesky4615]

Definitely on my list

[@uneedamuracle]

He’s been great in so many movies… even The Longest Yard he was perfect.

[@seanheany444]

Underrated role, obviously Prison Break, this one but people forget how awesome he was in that movie. Sandler has since said he's a really funny dude too.

[@dillonmanning5612]

Wasn’t he in Armageddon?

[@stonemedia8901]

​@@dillonmanning5612Yes!

[@seize3]

CREW!!!

[@stevenkmiller]

I love William Fitchner. Class act. I'll watch just about whatever he's in just because he's in it. From Black Hawk Down to Mom, this guy can pretty much do it all.

[@allipat401]

I feel the same way and completely agree with everything you said.

[@michaelnugent9758]

💯

[@martinpena4207]

Favorite movie William was in was Black Hawk Down. He played a bad ass Delta operator. He definitely needs more recognition.

[@alcottdevalte7440]

Arguably the best scene in cinema history because of a character reveal, which was something spectacular and a completely different surprise towards all directions.

[@187btokes]

Tone it down, a lot. This is a great film. There are many fantastic scenes, some are even quite phenomenal. However, there is, in no way, an argument to be made that this is one of the greatest scenes in cinema history, just because of the reveal. The scene is definitely great, no one will argue that. There is no way you can include this scene as one of the greatest ever when it ends with the bus pulling out and no one noticing because it's just a line of school busses. Yes it's a fantastic scene, but when you talk about greatest ever, the little things matter. Nolan is best known for his amazing spectacles, but when you actually disect scenes, they are more fluff than not. Still, for the millionth time; it is a great scene.

[@187btokes]

If you said "arguably one of the best OPENING SCENES" I would definitely say you have a valid point. It is a phenomenal way to open a film.

[@alcottdevalte7440]

​@@187btokesJoker in Dark Night has the most clever introduction to a character because he has no identity, and the opening sequence is it's own movie itself where the character could have been shoved towards dozen different directions and paths. There is extremely rare to see a character being unsolved, unsettled, unpredictable and unbalanced throughout time with identity accusations that are reflected through his lines, actions and body language, which makes us make assumptions about his origin and personality in performance, behavior and style, which again leaves us with several unansweared questions about his existence and belonging outside his chaotic and destructive parables that are echoed.

[@jollyquinn430]

@alcottdevalte7440 Yeah. That makes it a great scene. But not the best one.

[@fartnloud7411]

TDR is a hell of an opening too. The plane with bane 💥

[@JA-ui7ex]

I’ve never even considered that, but that is so true. One of the greatest openings of any films ever. And that includes the classics like The Godfather, Casino, Goodfellas, Carlitos way. Heath crushed it.

[@robbietheeternal]

William is awesome! Loved him in Prison Break and as the voice of Ken Rosenberg in GTA and Sandman in COD MW3!!

[@Lejik]

Have You seen Heat? If not You should! Great movie and he kills it as Van Zant, corrupt…i mean he’s really good at delivering usual banker role in this film. Jokes aside, movie’s a masterpiece.

[@robbietheeternal]

@@Lejik Not yet! I do however have it on DVD, I might give it a try very soon :)

[@Lejik]

@@robbietheeternal AWESOME!:)

[@dandivarkathar6582]

You're telling me HE voiced Rosie? Dang. AND Sandman?

[@robbietheeternal]

@@dandivarkathar6582 Hell yeah! He's got an amazing voice

[@robertwhitaker3839]

His character, the Accountant,, from the Nic Cage movie "Drive Angry" (a GREAT popcorn flick) derserves a movie on his own. This guy should be MUCH bigger than he is.

[@Mallen151]

I have seen him in a ton of stuff but his role in Drive Angry is still my favorite by him. I even remember getting excited when I realized that he was also the bank teller in The Dark Knight. I didn’t recognize him when I saw Drive Angry for the first time!

[@liberaljag]

It’s a pretty mean feat to steal a movie from Nic Cage, but damned if Bill didn’t do it. That performance should get more love, for sure.

[@theforce5191]

Best joker ever. Even the old guy whos been around long enough to experince the other jokers can recognize greatness.

[@fxranger326]

He set the bar high. I don't think anyone else can pull off the character as well as he did.

[@madkingme7507]

Heath Ledger took the Joker to a level that can never be reached not many actors can say that like Sean Connery with 007

[@tobia.1281]

🎯

[@towwffc]

Yes as great of an overall actor as Joaquin Phoenix is Heath Ledgers Joker is unmatched for me.

[@Ebani]

@@towwffc Yeah, as good as Joaquin Phoenix's acting was, his was a more human, real life version of the joker whereas Heath's was literally comic book joker.

[@cosamglass7970]

"That's just freakin fantastic". That's what we all thought when we saw him too. 2 great actors!

[@MaximumCarne]

How amazing would it have been to witness it being filmed and seeing Heath Ledger as the Joker for the first time

[@thehahvokexperience]

This guy also plays the main villain of The Lone Ranger, Butch Cavendish! He was absolutely fantastic in that movie

[@booboo7502]

I’m liking seeing more of your interviews outside of wrestling that you’ve been posting. You’re great at what you do man.

[@jasonrockwood7576]

William Fichter is one of the best character actors ever!!! So many movies to his credit.

[@Mouse-yk7gu]

He’s the same guy in every movie

[@Cadence733]

When calling William Fitchner, I bet Christopher Nolan was so tempted to say 'I'm talking to a dead man' before hanging up.

[@ismaelkastalani4665]

Heat reference 😂😂😂

[@jameshoran8]

How the hell do I know.

[@Cadence733]

@@jameshoran8 know what?

[@jameshoran8]

@@Cadence733 Fitchner's character in Heat. Roger Van Zant replied that when DeNiro's character, Neil McCauley asked where was Waingro.

[@jameshoran8]

Van Zant sent a hit team instead of bringing cash to buy back his Bearer Bonds at a deep discount

[@High_Key]

William Fichter is such an underrated actor and has been in some of my favorite action movies. Always love the roles he plays..he seems to have that like-ability factor going for him, at least for me.

[@olenrobinson1476]

Rip Heath so good

[@gamble777888]

As time passes, people either seem to forget or take for granted how jaw droppingly brilliant Heath's performance on this film was.

[@ghkid7962]

It’s even cooler when you know he played a great supporting role in Michael Mann’s “Heat”. Another great nod to a film that set the visual precedent for TDK

[@The_Isaiahnator]

True. His line of dialogue in TDK also matches perfectly with his character from Heat. De Niro's crew stole from him, and he spent the rest of the movie trying to kill them.

[@mikewest7686]

Omg drive angry the accountant he was a fucking badass

[@averageperson8882]

I love that this scene is considered one of the created opening scenes ever. Watching this for the first time in the cinema completely hooked me to the rest of the film and was the perfect way to introduce Heath’s brilliant portrayal of the joker. Truly deserved.

[@MelkorTolkien]

This guy is an amazing actor. One of the best characters on the show Mom and actually got me into the show.

[@Jaspergoo96]

Best role was The Accountant in Drive Angry. Dude killed it!

[@TheFatMan]

Loved Fitcher in Prison Break

[@scifi_shop]

I think it was called Prison Breaker

[@TheFatMan]

@@scifi_shop 😅😅😍

[@RangerOfTheEast00]

Dude is an OG actor and much respect for giving his best in any roles he portrayed

[@kh7688]

This man improves every scene that he's in. One of the most under appreciated actors in all of cinema. His arc in Prison Break is one of the most compelling in all of television.

[@BAAT4103]

The greatest villain of all time... RIP to the REAL Joker

[@Yungmula716]

Met him once at a hospital his mother was getting treatment done 🙏🏾🙏🏾 cool guy

[@PiazzaGurl]

William is such a great underrated actor. He’s literally “that guy” from “that movie” or “show” lol. He’s so good. Loved him on Mom, Prison Break, the Perfect Storm. Many other things.

[@paige-vt8fn]

It truly is one of the greatest openings of a movie EVER. I remember feeling so incredibly involved and a part of it.... "And here we... GO...."❤❤❤❤❤

[@cbeaudry4646]

My favorite role of his was in Armageddon

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

Drive Angry was his best movie.

[@1stMarDiv4341]

One of my all-time favorite character actors. He visited Camp Pendleton when I was a Marine stationed there and was able to meet him. Amazing experience.

[@blakeandcamp]

William is one of those character actors you see in a movie and you just know he's going to give a great performance.

[@yy-hj4br]

Yeah,so audiances don't know how loud those things are unless you were at those theatres that played a demonstration of how loud an Imax camera is before the movie started.

[@krypttt]

he was incredible in prison break.

[@R.A.D.G59]

The way he said you and your friends are dead is so genuine it’s been in my head since I witnessed this absolute masterpiece of a movie.

[@trharrington22]

He was badass

[@nasacollector3676]

I just met William Fitchner at the LB Grand Prix, told him I didn't know his name but I went down a list of movies he was in and what a phenomenal character he is. William was extremely gracious amd appreciative, we spoke for 10min and parted company. He makes every production so much better, a true professional.

[@starman923]

I remember only one thing from this awesome mov....HEATH LEDGER HEATH LEDGER HEATH LEDGER

[@farhanjaffer3913]

I will watch this movie forever….it always brings chills all over man jeez!!! I remember seeing it opening day JUST because of the joker hype….apparently this actor Heath Ledger was amazing. I hadn’t heard of him before either….

[@CreepyNoodlesK]

Saw a midnight showing the night before opening and was blown away. The parking lot was filled with Batman fans in costume, so many jokers present. There was a long standing ovation at the end of the film.

[@paulmassiah1759]

William Fichtner is a true gem. Really appreciate his body of work.

[@jeffsanders663]

Me having been in the Army, I'm VERY critical when Hollywood does military movies. I nitpick stuff. This man plays military roles very well! He's one of my favorites!

[@DLtheGreat]

What are some of your favorite military movies? I want to get into the genre.

[@jeffsanders663]

@@DLtheGreat Band of Brothers Saving Private Ryan The Longest Day Tora Tora Tora Purple Hearts Garden of Stone 84 Charlie Mopic Platoon The War at Home Starter list for you. Lol

[@DLtheGreat]

@@jeffsanders663 Thank you bro!

[@andychrist2922]

3 has a better opening imo

[@cbreezy1322]

Fichtner is an absolutely fantastic actor! In his roles he's so captivating he steals scenes. Dude is severely underrated!

[@altonhumes5782]

He's done it all (practically) in this business, but even William Fitchner saw the Magic in Heath Ledger. Such will NEVER BE DUPLICATED, ever Again. Thank you, Mr. Christopher Nolan. Rest ever Well, Mr. Heath Ledger!!! #CVVClips #ThatActingLife #RestEverHeathLedger!!!

[@SloanJ86]

This is AWESOME!! Best short I've seen this year!

[@jerryfathouse2009]

Man is a legend. Good to see William Fichter getting some shine. He absolutely kills it in everything he does.

[@BroFest89]

Bill is seriously the nicest GD person. I worked with him and found it startling how great he was.

[@tombrenes2411]

NOTHING has topped this Super talent Sir C. Nolan

[@franzbachhuber4656]

William fichtner is amazing. Such a charismatic actor, he is always brilliant when he is on screen

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

Thank you about the IMAX camera bit. I really wasn't aware. Amazing work by the sound and editing teams too!

[@Mr.CreamCheese69]

My uncle worked with William on As The World Turns back in the 80s. My uncle played Casey Peretti

[@whiskey_banger]

One of my favorite actors. He crushes every role.

[@kungfew1396]

That smoke grenade taped to his mouth scene was such a Joker thing to do it was pure gold!

[@Cowboy4lyfe80]

One of the greatest actors to ever come through! Love this man’s movies and his characters.

[@mistec34]

He had such an impact on Equilibrium. His humanity was a reason to want people to feel again in that world, weighing the grief of his wife, his own life, and the future of humanity and showing it all at once.

[@lToxicGamingl]

This was the first movie I seen in a movie theater ever..It was my 6th grade summer… for years I wondered…did William know Joker was going to be in his face paint when he took off the mask..The expression of fear on Williams face..when Joker took off the mask..what ever doesn’t kill you simply makes you stranger..sometimes directors don’t want actors to know every detail about the scene..in order to capture something genuine on screen

[@louismat319]

Ledger's portrayal of Joker was just incredible

[@Scottie_S]

I remember seeing William in 'Contact' as the blind astronomer. He was so good, I was convinced he was REALLY blind. Also, his line to James Woods in reference to the peppermints James ate was "Oh, nice to smell you again, Mr. Kitz" absolutely cracked me up!

[@BrandonMobley614]

Greatest movie I ever saw in theatre. I watched it at a midnight release. I was 13.

[@loganross1861]

I remember his lines and delivery in this opening often…I want more of this guy

[@mcgritty8842]

Literally one of the best intros to a movie ever

[@The-Rest-of-Us]

Heath Ledger’s early death was one of the biggest losses ever for cinema. He was only 28 years old, but the great work and impact he had in such a short time is incredible.

[@joeyzapata6786]

William Fichter is one of those clutch actors where no matter the role, he always nails it.

[@Rocky-or4rz]

Always liked him in everything I've seen him in, and the dark night is absolutely one of the greatest movies ever made

[@ChrisSmithBass]

Honestly, every time I see a clip of this dude getting interviewed, he tells great stories and seems super cool.

[@Ludydobry]

That movie is perfection, still to this day im amazed how perfect it is for a fan like myself.

[@connorbaz5980]

William Fighter is absolutely one of my favorite character actors. I wish he was in even more movies, and especially in lead roles! Fantastic in movies like this one, Black Hawk down, even Equilibrium for those who remember!

[@Windbadger]

When this guy is in your movie, in such a small role, you know your movie is great.

[@Hauerization]

Being part of such a cinematic opening, I think you can die happy as an actor.

[@jamestime5949]

I’m glad this is finally getting highlighted, but there’s more to it than just him being part of the greatest scene. His character, as the banker was fucking amazing, award winning.

[@RoivonPC]

He reminds me of an early attitude of Henry Rollins when he was trying to make a name for himself and he just said yes to everything he was offered. William Fichter is amazing.

[@daniellevy2272]

Such a great, underrated actor.

[@VAFranky]

The movies he's been in have been enhanced so much by his performances despite frequently playing smaller roles. Many of these types of actors deserve more praise.

[@dubstepzsi]

You are a great actor honestly I recognise you from my childhood not sure of the details of what series or films but I do recognise you immensely. I want this guy actually for my socialogy sci fi series one of my many main characters, this post is saved my history 😊 expect a call soon

[@playablecharacter3871]

I loved the way that dude shot that shotgun as a kid, looks like he's angrily throwing the shells at them lol

[@luisfrias1210]

I love this scene. I always try to guess which window blows out. And the bus hitting the bank robber. Then Joker killing the bus driver was EPIC. But most of all, The Joker going into a line if school buses was GENIUS. Thank you Christopher Nolan & Heath Ledger for making my days brighter. 🙏 RIP Heath ❤

[@Iron-Bridge]

William Fichter. Always think of him as one of the best character actors in the business. Can play any role and own it. 👏

[@jjgalletta66]

William Fichter is a solid actor. Always enjoyed his work.

[@sercastamere9853]

This guy is one of a countless number of absolutely fantastic and under-appreciated actors. So many actors play supporting and background roles so well you hardly notice them because they aren's supposed to steal the show, but often are better actors than the leads.

[@ryanmccullion7367]

William Fichtner is such an incredibly underrated actor.

[@Cubfan2240]

Chris, you always ask the best questions. Keep up the great work 😊

[@iconikevans327]

The fact that nobody had met Heath before they shot, is what really made the movie what it became. Everyone was caught off guard,so the reactions to his character are somewhat real

[@princealbert357]

God that opening scene from rooftop to inside the bank was .....omg gives me chills just thinking about it.

[@MikeHunt-eb4kr]

Absolutely, what an amazing job, that whole opening was awesome

[@christiancarranza1003]

The dark knight was so iconic!!!

[@TheElectricMotoLife]

This is how you become immortal. Your work will be alive in everyone's memories. RIP Heath

[@yammak2004]

Thank you so much for doing this interview. This is one of those character's where you never know his name but you know that he's been in 30 different films. Absolutely amazing and insightful