In an interview discussing his most well-known role as the shining beacon of hope in Gotham City -- Harvey Dent, turned distributor of brutal chance-based vengeance Two-Face, in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight -- Aaron Eckhart explained how Dent would have felt about Batman's great lie at the end of the film.

After Dent lost the love of his life and was deeply corrupted by the Joker (Heath Ledger), Batman (Christian Bale) and Gotham's Police Commissioner Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) made the choice to preserve peace as well as Dent's reputation as Gotham's "White Knight" by framing Batman for the murders committed by Two-Face. Although Dent never lived to see the plan come to fruition, Eckhart believes his character would have disagreed with their choices.

Related: The Dark Knight: Why Maggie Gyllenhaal Replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes in the Batman Film

"No, [Dent] would’ve told the truth," said Eckhart. "That’s the great thing about Harvey Dent. Despite whatever is going on, he’s a truth-teller and he’s a moral center." Dent may have understood Batman and Gordon's motivations to make the optimistic politician a symbol for good, but Eckhart is certain that his character would have insisted on accepting the consequences openly, saying, "I believe Harvey would not approve of Two-Face or the lie that was told."

Eckhart believes traces of Dent's commitment to honesty and truth-telling even extend slightly into the Two-Face persona. As a politician, Dent was openly anti-corruption and exposed. As a villain, he is honest about everything, from his disfiguration to his identity. Eckhart explained, "Superheroes are behind masks and capes, et cetera. Well, what about the superheroes that aren’t hiding behind a mask? What about the superheroes that stay true to themselves and to the greater good — without any superpowers? Where are they? And that’s what’s exciting about Harvey Dent, especially in a town like Gotham where everybody’s corrupt."

Related: Christopher Nolan Is Thrilled Dark Knight Was Made Before the Superhero Boom

However, Eckhart still draws a distinction between Dent and Two-Face, saying, "Now when he becomes Two-Face, he is [hiding behind something]. But Harvey Dent was out there fighting for every man and woman, for truth and justice, and he put himself on the line. But having done so, he got bit, and he was forever changed."

While Eckhart has gone on to collaborate on more indie projects than blockbuster movies, he holds the character of Harvey Dent and his experience in The Dark Knight close to his heart: "What a special, special movie. I was happy to be a part of it."

Christopher Nolan directed all three movies in the Dark Knight Trilogy. The Dark Knight was produced and co-written by Nolan.

Keep Reading: Batman the Silenced: Who Is the Dark Multiverse's Vengeful Dark Knight?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter