12 Movie Casting Decisions That Fans Couldn't Handle

6. Heath Ledger - The Joker (The Dark Knight)

And now we come to pretty much the Holy Grail of unexpected casting that was (initially) reviled by fans.

Despite rumours swirling that Paul Bettany would be cast as The Joker for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, the part eventually went to Heath Ledger, to the baffled bemusement of, well, just about everyone.

Ledger, who was best known for his performances in frothy movies like 10 Things I Hate About You and A Knight's Tale, not to mention his Oscar-nominated turn in Brokeback Mountain, was basically the polar opposite of who fans expected.

Nothing on Ledger's CV really suggested he was an inspired pick to play the Clown Prince of Crime, and fans voiced their displeasure online in droves, claiming he would "ruin" The Joker and consequently Nolan's movie.

Did It Work Out?: Though Ledger tragically passed away before his performance hit screens, it became clear from the release of the film's first trailer that Ledger had defied fanboy salt to deliver a daring, bravura rendition of the character.

Ultimately, Ledger's free-wheeling interpretation became the film's most distinctive and widely-praised aspect - in a film that sure didn't want for plaudits - even going on to win a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

And over a decade later, Ledger's Joker remains a high-point for not only cinematic superhero villainy, but movie antagonists as a whole. Whenever fans run their mouths about a casting choice, it's always useful to keep Heath Ledger in mind.