The secret to the Joker’s pencil trick is that there is no pencil

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While the opening bank heist is technically the first scene in which we see him, the Joker’s real introduction in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight comes during the famous pencil trick scene. This is where Gotham’s mob elite and the audience at home first begin to understand that this Joker guy (Heath Ledger) is dangerous, unpredictable, and a real fan of magic. In a recent oral history put together by Vulture, the film’s production team discusses the logistics behind pulling off this jarring and impressive visual effect.