In the Batman superhero comic series, the character’s feud with the villain who is like a mirror to himself, the Joker, is often cited as the backbone of the most popular and influential storyline.
Although Batman is a tycoon, aided by great technology and impressive physical capabilities – Joker, who is just a terrorist with mental problems, is often able to compete and sometimes even manages to dominate the relationship between the two of them.
Unlike other Batman superhero villains who have extraordinary strength or equipment, the Joker challenges Batman with just his laughter and psychological tactics. Because of that, the character of the Joker became one of the most difficult characters to bring due to the need to delve into the character’s problems. There have been many movies and series featuring this troubled character, but who is the best actor to have done this character so well?
1. Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Receiving criticism after being confirmed as the actor of the Joker, the late Heath Ledger faced huge challenges in the beginning just to convince the public that he was worthy of the role.
However, at first Ledger himself refused to participate in any superhero film production despite being offered by director Christopher Nolan. It was only after watching the film Batman Begins that Ledger’s view of superhero movies changed.
In order to succeed in the role, Ledger changed his life; delving into the character through all the comics featuring the villain and training himself to smile and laugh. Everything was done to ensure that the character he brought was different from the Joker character played by Jack Nicholson, who became his benchmark.
Better known as an actor in light-hearted teen films before that and a controversial film involving a homosexual couple, the late Heath Ledger proved his worth with a memorable portrayal – and managed to win the 2009 Oscar for the best-supporting actor, posthumously.
Watch The Dark Knight 2008 Movie Trailer
2. Mark Hamill (various)
In addition to being famous as the holder of the role of Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars film series, Mark Hamill is also known as one of the best voice actors for the terrorist character, which has already started since 1992 in the series ‘Batman: The Animated Series.’
Hamill then played a similar role in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and several other animated Batman films, before making a comeback with his appearance in the animated film ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’, a film that shows the origin of the villain Joker and how he changed from an ordinary man, to a villain who cares nothing.
In addition to animated television series and films, Hamill has also been involved many times as the voice actor of the Joker character in video game titles, playing the character very successfully in the video game series ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’ published by Rocksteady Studio.
3. Jack Nicholson (Batman)
Controversy surrounded Tim Burton’s Batman movie from the start, after Michael Keaton was announced to play the role of superhero Batman and billionaire Bruce Wayne in the film – due to the reaction of fans who felt Keaton did not fit the role.
However, not many people realize that the process of choosing an actor for the character of the Joker is actually much more complicated because Tim Burton really wants an actor who can bring the vision of the Joker that he dreams of.
Names such as the comedian Robin Williams and the famous singer David Bowie were mentioned, but the fans and producers of the film themselves realized that only one name was suitable to play the role – Jack Nicholson, the legendary actor who at that time was already widely known.
Nicholson took a long time before agreeing to take the offer, worried that his career would be affected because he had never acted in such a film. However, the right choice and Nicholson’s solid acting became the foundation stone for the character of the Joker after that.
4. Cesar Romero (Batman: The Movie)
Released as the finale to the first season of the Batman television series, the film ‘Batman: The Movie was the first film featuring the characters of Batman and the Joker, released in 1966.
The character of the Joker in the film was played by the famous actor, the late Cesar Romero. However, to do a comparison of how he played the character is unfair to us to make Joker characters in the modern era, as a benchmark.
This is because at that time the Batman series was quite light and not serious so the character of the Joker also had to reflect the theme of ‘Batman’ at that time. Cesar continued his career playing the iconic character, in 3 seasons of the television series – appearing in 22 episodes full of laughs.
5. Jared Leto (Suicide Squad)
From the beginning, the character of Joker in the movie Suicide Squad faced criticism. His designs are seen trying too hard to look different, apart from his face which looks made up.
There is no doubt that Jared Leto is a good actor but the character of the Joker in the movie seems to have no clear direction in terms of design. What is seen, due to the success of the Joker character brought by the late Heath Ledger will be legitimate comparison – the producers chose to make the Joker in Suicide Squad a ‘very annoying’ person to watch.