Billy Dee Williams v Tommy Lee Jones (or BDW v TLJ)

[The Laughing Fish]

As much as I liked the '89 film, I still can't buy that Billy Dee Williams could ever play a deranged character. He always appeared calm and suave in everything I have seen him in; never looking like the sort of actor who could play a psychotic mess of a character like Two-Face. If anything, I always thought that Dent in Burton's version was just an incorruptible and ordinary man who never became his criminal alter ego.

Tommy Lee Jones's version of came across as too identical of a Power Rangers villain, despite trying hard to resemble Nicholson's Joker.

I still don't think any on-screen Two-Face portrayal has done any justice to the character.

[The Dark Knight]

As much as I liked the '89 film, I still can't buy that Billy Dee Williams could ever play a deranged character. He always appeared calm and suave in everything I have seen him in; never looking like the sort of actor who could play a psychotic mess of a character like Two-Face.

His introduction in The Empire Strikes Back with Han Solo gives me strong hope he could've pulled it off.

[gordonblu]

I still don't think any on-screen Two-Face portrayal has done any justice to the character.

The animated series version is excellent! But he's been ill served in live action so far.

[The Laughing Fish]

As much as I liked the '89 film, I still can't buy that Billy Dee Williams could ever play a deranged character. He always appeared calm and suave in everything I have seen him in; never looking like the sort of actor who could play a psychotic mess of a character like Two-Face.

His introduction in The Empire Strikes Back with Han Solo gives me strong hope he could've pulled it off.

Really? I never got that vibe, I thought he was cool even in the most tense situations.

I still don't think any on-screen Two-Face portrayal has done any justice to the character.

The animated series version is excellent! But he's been ill served in live action so far.

Sorry, when I said on-screen portrayal, I should've said live action instead. 

I absolutely agree with you; Two-Face in that cartoon was excellent, particularly that two-part episode. I think Dent struggling to suppress his split personality disorder to the point that he came to terms with it when Rupert Thorne tried to use his condition as blackmail was probably the best character development for a villain I've ever seen, whether it's live action or cartoon. I should admit that the opening scene where he suffers a nightmare gave me chills when I first saw it.

[Edd Grayson]

I agree with The Laughing Fish, no live-action Harvey Dent so far was really as great as the character of the comics and animation could be.

[Silver Nemesis]

I still can't buy that Billy Dee Williams could ever play a deranged character. He always appeared calm and suave in everything I have seen him in; never looking like the sort of actor who could play a psychotic mess of a character like Two-Face.

You should watch Nighthawks (1981). There's a drug bust scene where Williams starts roughing up a criminal and Stallone has to hold him back. If you don't think Williams can play a dark, angry character, then you should check out this scene.



Later in the movie Williams' character gets slashed across one side of his face in a subway station. This scene would provide great material for a manip or fan trailer.



I reckon Williams could easily have played an excellent version of Two-Face, if only the filmmakers had given him the chance. There's a lot more to him than just Lando.

[Edd Grayson]

I think Billy Dee could've been a great Harvey Dent is his character was better written. I think Harvey should've been Batman's ally against the Joker, the film as a whole would've been better IMO.

[The Laughing Fish]

Interesting, I should check that Nighthawks film out. Is it one of those run-of-the-mill crime dramas, or is it an underrated gem? Or better yet, is it your typically cheesy 80s action movie? 

I think Billy Dee could've been a great Harvey Dent is his character was better written. I think Harvey should've been Batman's ally against the Joker, the film as a whole would've been better IMO.

I disagree, I think that would have made the film feel bloated. Then again, I've never liked any comic book movie which had multiple main villains all at once, with the exception of Batman Returns (and even Returns had deprived Batman from a bit of screen time than I would have liked).

[Silver Nemesis]

Interesting, I should check that Nighthawks film out. Is it one of those run-of-the-mill crime dramas, or is it an underrated gem? Or better yet, is it your typically cheesy 80s action movie? 

It's more of a forgotten gem. It's a bit too good to be considered a cheesy 80s movie, but it's not quite good enough to rank alongside the early Stallone classics such as Rocky (1976) and First Blood (1982). I believe it was actually written as French Connection 3, but Gene Hackman was tired of playing the Popeye Doyle character, so they rewrote it to feature a new character played by Stallone.

A major reason to watch it is Rutger Hauer's performance as the villain. Hauer played the bad guy in two of my favourite eighties movies - Blade Runner (1982) and The Hitcher (1986) - and I can't help thinking he landed those parts based on his role in this. Although Nighthawks isn't as good as either of those films, it is a dark and gritty thriller that manages to hold your attention throughout. It's got more of a late seventies feel to it than an eighties vibe. But it's certainly worth watching if you have an evening to spare.

[The Dark Knight]

The animated series version is excellent! But he's been ill served in live action so far.

Indeed. I re-watched that episode last night, and it's definitely my favourite of Two-Face portrayal. The tragedy of Harvey Dent is brought across. He's friends with Bruce, something TDK didn't truly convey. He had issues all along with duality, not just being brought out via the accident. And obviously he's a rough customer whose temper you would be scared of.