Heath Ledger’s Unused Joker Design Is Even More Terrifying Than What We Got

New Joker concept art from The Dark Knight reveals that the iconic supervillain was almost much more terrifying than the foe depicted in the 2008 movie. Long before James Gunn and Peter Safran began to establish the DC Universe, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan adapted DC Comics’ Batman into live-action, with Christian Bale assuming the coveted role. Batman Begins pitted Bruce Wayne against Liam Neeson’s Ra’s al Ghul and Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow, while The Dark Knight Rises featured Tom Hardy’s Bane as Batman’s adversary. However, 2008’s The Dark Knight created a moment in history by pitting Batman against Heath Ledger’s Joker.

The Dark Knight marked Heath Ledger’s final performance, as he tragically passed away only months before the film released in June 2008. His portrayal of Batman’s archnemesis, the Joker, however, ensures that Ledger will go down in history, as his Joker is regarded as one of the strongest iterations of the legendary villain in live-action. While The Dark Knight is considered one of the best superhero movies ever, and Ledger’s performance one of the strongest, the Joker’s design in The Dark Knight Trilogy’s second installment was almost very different, which would have had a huge impact on the villain’s popularity.

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The Dark Knight’s Unused Joker Design Is More Horror-Themed Than The Final Version

Concept designer Rob Bliss recently shared new concept art from The Dark Knight, depicting variations on the Joker’s final design in the 2008 movie. While the costumes of the Joker in The Dark Knight and in the concept art are very similar, the make-up and hairstyling of Bliss’ concept Joker display a much more harrowing and terrifying version of the villain. Bliss’ Joker’s scars are much more prevalent, and his blackened eyes make him more ghoulish. This would have been a haunting sight in The Dark Knight, but may have had a detrimental impact on future incarnations of the Joker.

Most notably, Rob Bliss’ concept designs for the Joker from The Dark Knight are eerily similar to the design of the Joker in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Barry Keoghan appeared as the Joker (credited as Unseen Arkham Prisoner) in The Batman, displaying extensive scarring and a shorter haircut, akin to the concept art. This means it was better for Christopher Nolan to take the Joker in a different direction for The Dark Knight, and there are several clear reasons why the director chose to use a more human, realistic and grounded version of the Joker, rather than the dark antagonist.

Why The Dark Knight’s Final Joker Design Is Better For Nolan’s Batman Trilogy

With The Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan developed a more realistic world for Batman to inhabit, so it was important for the Joker to also carry this sense of realism. Heath Ledger managed to fill the Joker with personality, charisma and charm, forming one of the most hilarious as well as terrifying villains, which would have been difficult had he been haunting to observe. The Joker works as a villain because he is nothing more than a human that has been twisted by his own mind, so giving him a human appearance in The Dark Knight was the best decision.