Tragic actor Heath Ledger based his performance as the Joker in the new Batman movie The Dark Knight on Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, according to his co-star Christian Bale.
Bale, who plays the caped-crusader in the recording breaking film, said Ledger, who died in January of an accidental drugs overdose, had watched video clips of Vicious while researching the role.
He tells British newspaper the Telegraph, “Heath’s created an anarchic Joker unlike any ever seen before.
“He modeled the part on Sid Vicious which made this punk-like character. I think it is a classic portrayal of a great villain.”
Vicious, whose real name was John Simon Ritchie, died in New York 1979, also from a drugs overdose.
Ledger is being tipped to win an Oscar for his role in the film.
Bale added, “Heath immersed himself in the role. I would love to see him get an award.”
Before his death, Ledger said he also drew inspiration from A Clockwork Orange for the role.
“It’s the most fun I’ve had with a character and probably will ever have…” he said. “It was an exhausting process. At the end of the day I couldn’t move. I couldn’t talk. I was absolutely wrecked.”
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