Leonardo DiCapriodoesn’t mince words when it comes to superhero films. Back in 2022, theTitanicstar and Timothée Chalamet worked together on director Adam McKay’s sci-fi comedy,Don’t Look Up. It was then that DiCaprio warned young Chalamet not to do drugs and not to make superhero movies. And during a recent interview withThe New York Times, while promotingDune: Part Two, Chalamet revealed that he wouldn’t say no to donning a costume or using superpowers on-screen. Chalamet said (viaVariety):
“Well, Leonardo DiCaprio said to me, ‘No superhero movies, no hard drugs.’ Which I thought was very good. I follow them both! But the movie that made me want to act is a superhero movie, ‘The Dark Knight.’ If the script was great, if the director was great, I’d have to consider it.”
The Dark Knight
Chalamet’s taste in the superhero genre is second to none. Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knightis arguably the best Batman movie ever made, and the late Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker left a lasting impression on Chalamet. Ledger rightfully received a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his interpretation of the Clown Prince of Crime. And that two-plus hours of on-screen magic captivated what was then a 12-year-old Chalamet.
Timothée Chalamet’s Inspiration
Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the JokerinThe Dark Knightis what led toTimothée Chalametbeing bitten by the ole acting bug. Chalamet wasn’t even a teenager yet when he first watched Joker terrorize Gotham City and go toe-to-toe with Christian Bale’s Batman. But for those who love Chalamet’s many wonderful performances, thanks should go out to filmmaker Christopher Nolan and Ledger’s legendary collaboration in 2008. Chalamet said in the same interview:
“When I was 12 years old, after attending one of my sister Pauline’s [ballet] performances, I petitioned my mom and grandma to see Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight with me. We went to AMC Empire 25 in Times Square for a 7:30 screening. I left that theater a changed man, and I’m serious about that. Heath Ledger‘s performance in that film was visceral and viral to me, and I now had the acting bug.”
The 12 Best Timothee Chalamet Movies, Ranked
The charismatic young superstar Timothee Chalamet has proved his talents film after film and has become one of the most in-demand stars working today.
WhileDune: Part Twois classified as science fiction, fans of the 1965 book by Frank Herbert know that Chalamet’s character, Paul Atreides, is very much like a superhero as he comes into his own. And just in case James Gunn hasn’t considered it already, the combination of 28-year-old Chalamet’s youthful appearance, his mastery of acting and that lean, athletic physique would make him an excellent candidate to portray Dick Grayson in the DCU.
In the comic books and DC’s animated endeavors, Grayson is there when Bruce Wayne/Batman’s son Damian is introduced. And the new Robin (Damian) and the former Boy Wonder (Grayson) have several intriguing and sometimes violent interactions with one another. If fans are lucky, perhaps the right superhero role for Chalamet could be in the DCU’s upcomingThe Brave and the BoldBatman film.
