The Batman films have frequently recast lead roles, including Batman himself. However, within the Christian Bale Batman films, already two actors have played Rachel Dawes. In The Dark Knight, Maggie Gyllenhall plays the role that Katie Holmes originated in Batman Begins, and Gyllenhaal wanted to be sure she had her colleague's blessing to replace her.
Maggie Gyllenhaal Steals Batman's Love
"At first it was really just talking to Chris [Nolan] about it and him assuring me that they were on fantastic terms," said Gyllenhaal. "There was no drama around it. Then I e-mailed her at one point. We e-mailed a little bit and then I saw her recently actually after I finished the movie. I'd been doing press on the movie and so many people have been asking about her, so I saw her at this big party and I sort of stopped her and said, 'I just want to say hi because everyone's been asking me about you. How many people can say they're Batman's girlfriend?'"
The Dark Knight is the first big blockbuster extravaganza that Gyllenhaal has acted in. The whole genre is a new experience for her.
"I'm proud to be in this movie though. Someone was just asking me if I knew anything about comics and stuff before. I didn't know anything. I was completely out of the loop. Now I get it in a different way. I sort of find myself saying these Batman things. I really liked it. I find myself really into it."
The Dark Knight
The film explores political issues of terrorism, heroism and working within the law, something that might not have been as apparent during preproduction.
"It's come out more fully to me later. I'm so glad that the movie, which was made for millions and millions of dollars, had so much thought and effort put into it and heart, has turned out to be about something. I think the politics in it are not controversial but very honest. I think it's dealing in what is honorable, what is justice? What do you do when you're living in a world that's full of corruption? Those are things that everyone can relate to no matter what their politics are. I think it came out very, very clearly and strongly in the finished movie."
It is still Batman though. "Someone else was asking me if I felt like this movie had transcended the comic book genre and I thought, 'Well, on some level, yeah. But then there's all these people that are so into Batman. So deeply interested and invested in it. They're grown men and women. They're not just interested in the batsuit. They're not just interested in the car or the batmotorcycle. They're interested in something bigger that Batman represents that hopefully the movie deals with."
Add to Heffee!
