Everyone’s favourite sociopathic clown is all set to make a comeback—Joaquin Phoenix is going to take on the role of the criminal mastermind in the origin story movie Joker, releasing this October. First introduced in 1940, the ‘Clown Prince of Crime’ has gone through several iterations over the years—Cesar Romero’s Joker was more a trickster than the dark villain we know today; Jack Nicholson turned up the residual creepy energy from The Shining to eleven for his role in 1989’s Batman; Mark Hamill voiced the animated version of the character in 1992 and further shaped the sadistic mannerisms we’re familiar with; Heath Ledger locked himself in a hotel room for a month to perfect his representation of the dark, sociopathic role; and Jared Leto gave the character a decidedly cool spin with his look.
Before we witness Joaquin Phoenix’s version (some even say that it may be better than Ledger’s award-winning portrayal in The Dark Knight), we’re taking you down memory lane for a look at the many faces of the iconic character. Scroll ahead for a list of all the actors who have played the Joker over the years.
Joaquin Phoenix in Joker (releases on October 4, 2019)
After nearly 80 years of the character’s existence, we’re finally getting an origin story in the upcoming Joaquin Phoenix-starrer, Joker. Known for his eclectic movie choices, this feature sees Phoenix as failed comedian Arthur Fleck, who suffers terrible circumstances that cause his dissent to madness and lead to him becoming the Joker. The film premiered in the recent 76th Venice Film Festival, reportedly earning an eight-minute standing ovation and rave reviews from critics across the globe.
Zach Galifianakis in The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
If you had to compile a list of actors who could be considered to play the Joker, funnyman Zach Galifianakis would probably not even be the last one you’d consider. But The LEGO Batman Movie did just that, and the results were unexpectedly incredible. A critic and box office success, the animated movie had Galifianakis voicing the Joker as a goofy, manipulative and comically self-aware character who just wants Batman to acknowledge him as his greatest foe, and admit that things wouldn’t be as fun if he wasn’t around.
Jared Leto in Suicide Squad (2016)
For many years after Heath Ledger’s untimely death, fans of the character had lost hope that anyone could embody the character as well as him. So when Academy Award-winning actor Jared Leto was announced as the new Joker in Suicide Squad (2016), the expectations were sky high. The first look of Leto in character was promising—he looked terrifying with his dyed hair, and silver-capped teeth, and for some time it seemed like we were finally getting a Joker who could revitalise the dull, post-Nolan DC Universe. But the film’s storyline sidelined the Joker, relegating him as a subplot to Harley Quinn’s origin story. What little we could see of Leto’s Joker onscreen gave an idea of a coldly homicidal villain who hung out with mobsters and thugs in nightclubs and roughed them up for not repaying him his money.
Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008)
This version of Joker is the most celebrated portrayal in the history of the character, but it’s impossible to separate it from the tragic baggage it holds. Heath Ledger passed away before the movie released, and didn’t get to witness the massive adulation his Joker gathered.
The actor joined Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy after the critically acclaimed Batman Begins (2005). Unlike the earlier interpretations of the role, Ledger’s Joker was an anarchist who toyed with people’s sense of moralities and sought to make a point about the meaningless of our existence. Ledger, who posthumously won an Oscar for his performance, disappeared into the role. He locked himself in his hotel room for a month and honed his voice to distinguish it from the previous Jokers. He kept diaries in which he wrote in as Joker, fleshing out the character’s back story and including stories about how he got the scars on his face, each one being grislier than the last. His Joker’s success was in the fear it inspired without any dialogue. His hunched over posture and twisted grin were terrifying, to say the least.
Mark Hamill in Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
After essaying one of the most memorable cinematic characters of all times as Luke in the Star Wars franchise, Mark Hamill decided to lend his voice to another iconic character with 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series. He is also, incidentally, the longest running Joker in the character’s cinematic history. Since the series was intended for children, the initial episodes featured an unthreatening Joker who used gags and tricks to spread his villainy. But over time, Hamill infused a menacing cadence to his voice that would slowly turn his Joker darker and more twisted than before.
Jack Nicholson in Batman (1989)
.jpg)
Tim Burton’s dark reimagining of Batman is remembered for the champagne casting of Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Now that Nicholson’s character has become so iconic, it’s surprising to note that he wasn’t the first choice for the role. Names like Willem Dafoe, Tim Curry, David Bowie and even Robin Williams were being considered for the role before Nicholson was cast.
Nicholson’s Joker is said to be the closest to the comic book version of the character. His alter ego Jack Napier was twisted even before he fell into a vat of acid and resurfaced with a grin permanently etched onto his face. The creepy lunatic energy he had perfected in The Shining (1980) helped cement his status as one of the best Jokers in history.
Cesar Romero in Batman: The Movie (1966)
Legendary actor Cesar Romero is the OG Joker in cinematic history. His version appeared in the first live-action Batman TV series, starring Adam West as Batman in the ’60s. He later reprised his role as Joker in Batman: The Movie (1966) as well. Romero’s Joker wasn’t really in tune with the menacing character we know today. Campy and gleeful, his version was far from terrifying; instead, this Joker had a childlike sense of mischief and was more of a trickster than his much darker successors.
Also read:
Robert Pattinson isn’t the only contender for the role of Batman
Wonder Woman is now more popular than Batman and Superman
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 is marked by inclusive casting and girl power
