Chapter 619: Unbearable Pain

Shortly after the Los Angeles Police announced the preliminary results of their investigation, Warner Brothers simultaneously released a tribute to Heath Ledger on their official website and on Instant Sharing.

"We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy. This is a very difficult time for those who loved him, and I ask the media to respect his family's privacy. We deeply mourn Heath Ledger. He poured his life into The Dark Knight and the character of the Joker, bringing his acting career to a perfect close."

"We also considered whether to take down the street posters and trailers featuring Heath as the Joker, but ultimately decided to keep them as the final testament of an outstanding actor. When the theater lights dim in May, please do not forget that the Joker on the screen is gone..."

This tribute was subsequently republished by numerous websites and media outlets, appearing prominently across their front pages.

Steered by Warner and affiliated media, more and more people began to speculate whether playing the dark, terrifying Joker had placed Heath Ledger under immense pressure that he couldn't escape.

Once it found a suitable angle for hype, Hollywood's massive publicity machine could unleash incredible energy.

It wasn't just Warner Brothers pushing this narrative; the cast and crew were also cooperating with Warner's campaign.

"Heath enjoyed immersing himself in the madness of the performance, while also recognizing the absurdity of the Joker," Christian Bale recalled into the reporters' microphones. "He delivered an intense, magnificent performance."

"He always arrived on time. He knew the character's backstory and motivations inside out. He was a very lovely kid."

Although he had little interaction with Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman also stood before the media. "His interpretation of the Joker cannot simply be described as 'extraordinary.'"

As the director and producer of The Dark Knight, Duke naturally couldn't escape the media's questions. He accepted an exclusive interview.

After the 2007 Oscar Awards Ceremony concluded, Duke appeared on The Ellen Show, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

This was already part of the film's massive promotional campaign, but Heath Ledger's accident shifted the show's focus entirely toward him.

"Heath Ledger's sudden passing is an undeniable loss. It is a loss for the film industry, and an even heavier blow for the filmmakers who worked with him... Perhaps you will never fully comprehend why such a vibrant life would suddenly vanish right before your eyes."

In front of the studio cameras, Ellen DeGeneres pointed at a poster of the Joker on the large screen and said, "And for Duke Rosenberg, the director of The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger's final completed work... looking at that departed figure on the editing screen must bring a different kind of bitter pain that is hard to swallow."

She spoke at a measured pace, effortlessly controlling the rhythm of the show.

"For the past two months, Duke Rosenberg has been busy with this latest Batman film. Holing up in the editing room without stepping outside has given Duke a relatively quiet environment to process the blow of his colleague and friend's sudden passing."

A short promotional clip began to play on the large screen behind Ellen DeGeneres.

"At the 'National Western Film Expo' held in Las Vegas from March 10th to the 13th," she continued, "Duke brought a brief excerpt from the beginning of the film. The general premise is that a group of robbers wearing 'Joker' masks break into a bank, triggering a massive massacre..."

The clip on the large screen finished playing, but it featured no frontal shot of the Joker.

"However, eager Batman fans might be disappointed, because this excerpt didn't leak any key plot details, much less show any footage of Heath Ledger." Ellen DeGeneres turned toward the backstage exit. "A mystery is a mystery, and until the very end, it won't be revealed. Next, let's peel back the layers with a few questions to see what news Duke has brought us today."

"Please welcome Duke Rosenberg."

Walking at a steady pace, Duke stepped onto the stage. He shared a light embrace with Ellen DeGeneres, who welcomed him with open arms, and then took a seat opposite her.

After a few casual remarks, Ellen DeGeneres steered the conversation toward the topic the audience cared about most.

She asked, "What stage has post-production for The Dark Knight reached now?"

"I just finished the first final cut of the film and showed it to the Warner Company last Friday." A trace of exhaustion seemed to hang on Duke's face, and his expression was somewhat solemn. "In fact, the result was quite good. The people from Warner were flushed with excitement after watching it. For me, that isn't just a moment to show courage, but it also brings a true sense of joy."

"Everyone in your cast and crew is saying that Heath Ledger delivered a transcendent performance."

Hearing this, Duke nodded slightly. "Yes, truly exceptional. Heath was one of the most outstanding actors I have ever worked with."

Ellen DeGeneres followed up, "What does Heath's passing mean to you? I remember someone saying that sometimes you have to learn to face things head-on before you can truly defeat oppressive grief."

"Escaping might lighten the burden, but it doesn't solve the problem. At least, that's true for me. Although I don't want the film's promotional tour to get bogged down in this issue, I know it's inevitable—rather than struggling helplessly in the middle of it, it's better to turn around and face it bravely. It's a truth most people understand, but everyone just needs a different amount of time."

Duke's tone grew increasingly serious. "I was very lucky. Before I could even digest the terrible news, I was given an opportunity to do something about it. The most terrifying thing for anyone is being overcome by grief and feeling completely helpless, not knowing what to do. So when it came to him, to Heath Ledger, I felt an unprecedented weight of responsibility on my shoulders."

Unlike the endless chatter of traditional male talk show hosts, and unlike Oprah's posturing, Ellen DeGeneres had her own style. She knew exactly who was sitting across from her. She simply leaned in with an attentive expression, appearing as nothing more than a listener.

"His departure is an unbearable pain in everyone's lives, especially for his family and friends. When you are a director and feel you must take responsibility for a certain actor, there is only one reason: their excellence in front of the camera has completely conquered you."

Lowering his head slightly, Duke gently rubbed his forehead, as if he still hadn't broken free from the shadow of the incident. "When I saw Ledger's Joker in the editing room, I suddenly felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. We had no other path to take; these were all he left us. So, I knew I had to try my best to preserve those magnificent performances he gifted us."

The audience in the studio erupted into waves of applause, seemingly moved by his words.

"Then will you alter your vision for the film because of this?" Ellen DeGeneres asked at just the right moment. "Do you feel that the edited film is different from what you originally conceived?"

The answer to this kind of question was obvious, but Duke certainly wouldn't say it directly. Instead, he opted for a more tactful approach.

"Because I know how proud a person Heath Ledger was. He took immense pride in what he was doing, so I didn't make any deliberate changes."

Turning to look at the large screen, which had switched back to that striking poster of the Joker, Duke continued. "His way of interpreting the 'Joker' was very special; it transcended the previous iconic, two-dimensional character. Furthermore, you couldn't find a single trace of Heath Ledger in him at all. It was like looking at a complete stranger."

His voice gradually deepened. "For a film, especially a sci-fi action film, being able to have a villain like this definitely provides a real and positive boost. It's something you can only hope to stumble upon. I know how much confidence Ledger had in this character, so I won't make any changes, because doing so would hurt his pride. I am merely taking what he truly achieved and presenting it truthfully to the audience."

"So, will there be a third Batman film?" A flash of slyness briefly crossed Ellen DeGeneres's eyes. "Otherwise, why did you leave an open ending in this film?"

"I can't give a definitive answer to that, but I must remind you..." Duke revealed a guarded expression. "If you aren't trying to trick me, then your inside sources are incorrect."

He shrugged. "Because up to this point, no one has seen the true ending of the film, not even the actors involved. My goal is very simple: I want the audience's minds to constantly be caught in a whirlpool of excitement while watching the movie. I don't want to make any hypocritical or pretentious grand statements. I am just trying my best to fulfill my duty to this film—a mystery is called a mystery because it is only revealed at the very last moment."

Ellen DeGeneres wasn't ready to give up. She asked again, "The film has finished editing. Could you evaluate Heath Ledger's character?"

Since he had agreed to Warner Brothers' promotional strategy and come onto the show, Duke knew he had to offer some real substance.

"The character of the Joker is absolutely a breakthrough for villains. He completely subverts our traditional memory of bad guys. The usual bad guys commit murder, arson, theft, and robbery. In the Joker's own words, he offers a higher class of crime..."

At this point, Duke stopped. He would leave the rest for the audience to discover in the film themselves.

This talk show was merely one link in a massive promotional campaign. Warner Brothers had even more moves lined up; they had even tracked down Heath Ledger's parents and sister to reach several commercial agreements with them.