Heath Ledger Last Joker Ever?

Judging from the heaps of Joker memorabilia that festooned the booths at New York comic con, Heath Ledger’s depiction of the criminal mastermind is undeniably a beloved one. So much so that the web site, The Ultimate Joker is calling for the removal of the character from the movie franchise. They’ve created a petition which you can sign here which (if Hollywood listens) would make Heath Ledger the last Joker ever.

Part of me is really into the concept. Heath Ledger was flawless. He was riveting and scary. And it was thrilling to watch such a freakishly preternatural talent from our generation. Another freakishly preternatural talent, Daniel Day Lewis, explains it better during his SAG acceptance speech last year:

And while you’re at it, watch Heath Ledger talk about how after reading the script he knew in “five seconds” exactly how he wanted to play the clownish criminal mastermind:

Sigh. The part when he says, “The joker was the most fun I’ve ever had or ever will have playing a character” is deeply upsetting (sorry for the somewhat depressing skew that this post is taking).

OK. I love how dark and brooding and macabre the franchise is circa Christopher Nolan because it’s exactly how it should be. Batman’s an asshole. People familiar with the comic books and the DC Universe knows that he’s a moody damaged fuck. This Joker was the perfect archnemesis in that he has no end game, he wasn’t bad to Batman’s good. And Heath’s depiction was so canny because he made it entertaining to watch The Cowled One lose. Who’s going to be able to duplicate that magical chemistry? Who the hell knows. Part of me wants to sign the petition but I can’t. I think the franchise needs him. I can’t get the image of Jim Carrey looking like an American Apparel ad out of my mind so I don’t think I’m ready for the Riddler. Harley Quinn is just annoying. The Penguin was never sufficiently threatening for me. I’m not sure, but I think they killed off Two-Face in the last one and I am not ready for the bullshit romantic bent that the narrative might take if we mix Catwoman back into the fold.

I’m torn. What do you think?