Gary Oldman is known for his transformative portrayals of complex and often morally ambiguous characters. Yet, his role as Commissioner Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan‘s Batman trilogy presented a unique challenge: playing a good guy.
Additionally, the Joker, with his chaotic energy and unpredictable nature, was a character more aligned with the roles Oldman had typically embraced. So, he talked about his experience with playing the good guy in ‘The Dark Knight‘ for once.
Gary Oldman: The Unexpected Hero
“The good guy, the incorruptible, straight as an arrow Jim Gordon,” Oldman stated on BBC Radio 1. “And it was quite challenging. Yeah, it’s that thing of turning up and Batman’s already got there first.” The actor found himself playing second fiddle to a character who was always one step ahead. Additionally, it was a departure from the roles that had typically defined his career.
Moreover, the contrast between Oldman’s character and Heath Ledger‘s iconic Joker became even more apparent. In a 2011 interview with Shortlist, Oldman reflected on the changing nature of his roles. “In that film, I’m the 50-year-old police commissioner while wonderful, young Heath Ledger is bouncing off the walls as The Joker,” he observed. “Now, had that part come along 15 years earlier, people may have said, ‘That’s a Gary Oldman role.’”
Additionally, while he admired Ledger’s performance, there was a sense of wistfulness in Oldman’s words. He might have thought of the situation as a career path not taken. Moreover, despite the challenges of playing a character as fundamentally good as Commissioner Gordon, Oldman’s performance was met with critical acclaim.
His portrayal added depth and humanity to a character who could easily have been one-dimensional. And while the role may not have offered the same opportunities for dramatic flair as some of his previous work, it showcased his versatility as an actor.
In case you missed it: When Gary Oldman Found Out On ‘Harry Potter’ Set That Sirius Black Was Going To Die
Oldman And Ledger Both Had The Same Ideas For Joker’s Inspiration
One of the most iconic scenes in ‘The Dark Knight’ is the chilling moment when the Joker, trapped in a prison cell, erupts in exaggerated clapping. This unforgettable image was entirely improvised by the late Heath Ledger. However, according to Gary Oldman, the inspiration for this scene might run deeper than mere improvisation.
Additionally, Oldman recalled a conversation with Ledger after filming the scene. “I went up to Heath afterwards and told him, ‘You really reminded me of Alex [Malcolm McDowell] in the opening shot of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ just then,'” Oldman shared. Surprisingly, Ledger’s response indicated a shared cinematic influence. “He said, ‘I was just watching that film in my trailer!’” Moreover, it seems the two acting titans had independently drawn inspiration from Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking film.
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