8 Little Known Ways Aaron Eckhart Made Nolan’s Two-Face Awesome

3. He Based Dent On Robert F. Kennedy

With the key trait of Nolan's Batman movies being their attempt to ground a once-fantastical hero in the real world, it's only to be expected that the actors involved would turn to real life figures for inspiration. For Harvey Dent Aaron Eckhart looked to another charismatic politician, Robert F. Kennedy. Bobby, younger brother of JFK, was, before his death in 1968, a popular, well-liked public figure who directly tackled organised crime. But beyond the 'narrative' similarities, Bobby and Dent's personalities and even looks line up in a way that helps boosts the latter's authenticity. The Kennedys helped shape how politicians come across, so having Bobby as a touchstone not only helps get into the character's mind-set, but makes the whole politics at work Gotham feel more naturalistic. One, more unexpected, parallel between the two is the contention around their deaths; as with his brother, conspiracy theories abounded following Bobby's assassination, while the cover-up of Dent's murders played a central part in sequel The Dark Knight Rises.