...'s opening sequence. Unlike 1989's "Batman," in which the deranged, disfigured clown appearance of Jack Nicholson's Joker resulted from a dip in chemical goo, "The Dark Knight" starts right in with the ... the sequel would pit Christian Bale's Batman against the Joker. "The psychopathic clown, that's an icon to stand with the guy with the ears and cape," Nolan said. "It's just a wonderful ...