Debate: Who played the BEST Joker ever?
- Thread starter playahaitian
- Start date
Every actor who has played the Joker on-screen, from Heath Ledger to Joaquin Phoenix
Here's every actor who has played the Joker on-screen, from Heath Ledger's celebrated turn in 'The Dark Knight' to Joaquin Phoenix's performances as Arthur Fleck.
Joaquin Phoenix recalls Christopher Nolan considering him for Joker in 'The Dark Knight': 'I wasn’t ready then'
It's impossible to imagine anyone but Heath Ledger as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight', but the most recent killer clown, Joaquin Phoenix, was actually considered for the part.
@ViCiouS
Good post. Interesting.
As a longtime fan of Tom Waits' artistry, I'm not really seeing it. Just a slight similarity in vocal tonality, but not in personality, overall vibe or Tom's distinct way of moving when he talks. Since Heath himself never cited him as an influence on the character (he did cite Sid Vicious and Malcolm McDowell in 'A Clockwork Orange'), I'm inclined to think Tom Waits wasn't an influence. I was reminded of Jack Nicholson mostly- not Jack in the movie, 'Batman', but the overall Jack Nicholson persona in movies.
On a side note, I never really was wowed by Heath Ledger's performance in 'The Dark Knight'. But your post prompted me to pull up a few more complete clips of him in the movie. Even though I prefer Joaquin Phoenix as Joker. I can't deny that Heath Ledger was definitely a gifted actor. He embodied that role and earned his Oscar. A true shame his life was cut short.
Did anybody ever point out ledger was just doing a Tom Waits impression? Not that he wasnt good, I enjoyed it but I really never understood the deep fascination with his joker. Joaquin Phoenix def did it better he just needed a better foil like the actual fuckin Batman and not that art house bullshit they put out. The Batman is Joker's raison d'être. Bale's Batman wasnt the best onscreen portrayal of that character either but again, serviceable.
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