My choice for the Joker if he were to be re-cast…
I’ve got about three minutes to type this up, and it’s pointless me trying to write up a news story – so I just thought I would leave you guys with something to think about and potentially discuss.
There’s been much back-and-forth discussion among fanboys for two years now (yes, even before we saw The Dark Knight) over whether The Joker should return in any future Batman movies, but I have never really given any indication of where I stand on the dilemma – except to say that it’s a tough one to call.
Here’s what I think, in a nutshell. A 3 minute nutshell at that…
The Joker is smart, too clever, too one step ahead of anyone else with seemingly unlimited resources and back-up plans to be stuck inside Arkham Asylum for long. The duration of his jail time you feel is entirely up to him.
So at some point, whether it’s Chris Nolan’s creative team or whatever, they are going to have to bring him back. And if it’s in the next movie, then I truly have no problem with it – AS LONG – as the story told isn’t a Joker centric story. Because there ain’t no beating The Dark Knight on that front, it’s gotta be a new villain, someone like The Riddler or whatever with The Joker in the background, a supporting role.
I think something like Hannibal Lecter’s in Silence of the Lambs would work – even if it were just prison scenes.
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One thing I would quite like to see them explore if The Joker were to be re-cast would be the James Bond strategy. You know how Bond changed quite dramatically from Sean Connery to George Lazenby and all the way to Daniel Craig – each one giving a different take on 007?
I think a mysterious character like The Joker would be perfect for this kind of exploration. A different actor playing the role each time, a completely different persona and performance. How about it?
And how about Javier Bardem to play him? You watch the grin he has in No Country For Old Men – and he’s a terrific actor, of course. Think about it.
16 Comments
Nah, I think you need to go crazy. Someone like Peter Greene or even Vincent Cassel would be my choice.
Pointless speculation. If Nolan does another film, which isn’t set in stone, there’s no way he would recast the Joker. Nolan is too loyal to those with whom he works, and recasting that role would be a slap in Heath Ledgers face. As long as Nolan is involved, the Joker will not appear on camera.
The Joker should return, period. And would like to see Benicio Del Toro with the make-up. I’ll defenitely watch in The Wolfman, let see how that movie goes.
Yeah Nolan’s always real loyal, especially to Katie Holmes.
Lol good one, Francis. However, Holmes was a detriment to the first film. Heath on the other hand singlehandedly raised TDK to another level. Nolan isn’t about to cheapen that with a recast.
I don’t think it would be cheap to recast of the Joker.
These types of movies are made to entertain people. I think filmmakers need to put their feelings aside and do the right thing to make the best film possible.
I think most people would prefer the Joker to return in some form or another.
I’m sure Nolan wasn’t completely finished with Joker’s story.
So I’d say take a risk, grow some balls, and recast the Joker.
The fans might HATE you for it. But I think most fans would LOVE to see the Joker return. The Joker is such an essential character to the franchise and the comic.
Saying all that. If the Joker does return. The actor should create his own Joker and absolutely NOT mimic Ledgers performance. Glad I don’t have to make any of these decisions. But who knows. Like Ray said, it all just speculation.
A Mexican Joker? What’s next? A black Batman? An Irish Lucius Fox?
Bardem is from Spain. I think he’d be great as joker since he is in fact a great actor. I don’t think it’s vital to bring the joker back in the next film, though his presence should be felt and some explanation as to his whereabouts given.
“I don’t think it’s vital to bring the joker back in the next film, though his presence should be felt and some explanation as to his whereabouts given”….
I agree completely with ampac here. An explanation on what The Joker is up to, HAS to be given.
And speaking of whether to re-cast The Joker or not. I remember back in 2006 when people were saying that no-one could ever top Jack Nicholson as The Joker.
And I was on the bandwagon when I said nobody could do Kirk and Spock like Nimoy and Shatner.
I’m glad I’m not as close minded as I used to be. And speaking of The Joker – everybody’s interpretation of the character is different. Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson’s take was different to Frank Miller’s, to Caesar Romero’s, to Alan Moore’s, to Tim Burton’s, to Paul Dini’s for Batman: The Animated Series, to Chris Nolan/Heath Ledger’s, etc etc.
The Joker is different in the hands of every new creative team in the comics. I don’t think it would be disrespectful for Nolan to use the character again at all and I actually think he will.
I’m betting on prison scenes mid-way through where The Joker has information that Batman needs to retrieve.
MICHAEL SHANNON all the way. Just watch Bug & see pics and clips from Bad lieutenant and you will see he is the only natural choice.
Vinecnt Cassel was tremendous in Mesrine but would be better suited to The Riddler but really Shannon has everything to be The Joker,
the voice, the mannerisms, the walk and is as close to what Heath created as you can get. Bardem’s a great actor but don’t know about this, sorry man!
MICHAEL SHANNON. watch this space!
MICHAEL SHANNON is an excellent call. He was brilliant in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD!
They should get octomom to play the joker. She already has the creepy smile down pat.
Or Cherie Blair? Her twisted smile is a very Jokeresque and evil!
http://www.boston.com/ae/books/blog/cherie.jpg
Javier Bardem Is a perfect Bane… end of story.
I think Crispin Glover as the Joker, Kevin Spacey as the Riddler, Bob Hoskins as the Peguin, The should bring in Croc! Tiny Lister as Croc. Bruce Willis as Wildcat. Ashley Judd or Jessica Biel as Catwoman, and John Malkovich as Mr. Freeze
Catch a grip pete! A Mexican joker, as opposed to an izzy one!!? They’re actors, doesn’t really matter! Tit