The Dark Knight Joker Casting Threads [merged-30]

[Muze]

i think you guys/girls make this too difficult. and some of you are just throwing out names because you're bored and you don't want to be the only one to not have thrown out a name. what makes Joker look like the joker? what does his face look like? which actors could believably be made to look like the joker? some of these suggestions i've seen on this board really don't even come close.

http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/batman/bios/villains/joker/09.jpg
http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=enlarge&issue=44309027394%203

look at his nose. look at his chin. look at his eyes. look at his build/height. but also consider how this actor would look opposite 6'2 Bale.

people we can nix right off the bat..

Michael Masse - he's gaunt but he's also small, wiry, old, and has a long history of playing nothing but prison guards or hired goons = not a lot of dialogue/not a lot presence. he'd look like a friggin loser w/ green hair & lipstick on.
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0114609/Ss/0114609/fcstil_0869a.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Massee,%20Michael

Nick Stahl - he just isn't ready for this kind of role. seriously, Nick Stahl vs Christian Bale. there's a reason that they put all of that latex on him in Sin City. he's just not a creepy guy/looks like a little punk kid. that doesn't mean that he's not a good actor but he's just wrong for this role. i couldn't imagine him as a comedian, a gangster, or a Mastermind. and that's without mentioning his voice or him being younger than Bale. i also don't like the shape of his face. it's not the kind that's going to look harlequinish in grease paint. the nose is all wrong; build too.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001763/

Benicio Del Toro - just a completely wrong look. he's not gaunt, tall, or slim. he lacks the Joker's sharp angular features. sleepy eyes. i could list his faults for days when it comes to this role. great actor but a poor cast for the joker imo.
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1134/Events/1134/wi20010325_BenicioDelToro_Granitz_162155.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Del%20Toro,%20Benicio

Matthew Lilard - not on his best day. he was a good shaggy because they're both friendly stoners with high pitched voices. i wouldn't even accept Lilard as a Joker stooge. i think he'd instantly make the sequel a b-movie. reminds me of one of the Penguin's clown posse. i don't think Bale would want to share print with this guy either.
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/2532/Events/2532/MatthewLil_Cohen_3217448_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Lillard,%20Matthew


anyways, i'm running out of room. the best picks i've seen so far are Vincent Cassel and Christopher Eccleston. Crispin Glover is a bad choice for the same reasons everyone is picking him. yeah, he acts crazy in interviews. so did Sean Young. yeah, he's weird looking. but Joker's only weird looking after the accent. you want someone with strong features who can, then, have those features distorted to make them look like a clown. Glover already looks like the Joker sans makeup and acts creepy in his spare time. what would be the fun in casting him if it's not an act? i'd rather see a classically-trained actor who normally does serious roles be transformed into the character, myself.

Eccleston
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0116722/Ss/0116722/1-4.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Eccleston,%20Christopher
http://www.geocities.com/bvgh17/RTChris.jpg

Vincent CAssell
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0349903/Ss/0349903/O12D-7136r.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Cassel,%20Vincent
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0349903/Ss/0349903/O12D-8220.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Cassel,%20Vincent


both could play it straight for the Jack Napier role and crazy for the Joker, imo.

 

[E.C.]

Who the hell is Lachy Hulme? The IMDb page on him has something like 10 entries, with his biggest role being in Matrix Revolutions, likely as one of the many stoic extras that you didn't care about.

He's perfect just 'cuz he LOOKS like Joker? 'Cuz of a photoshopped picture? What about his ACTING? I'd take a guy like Steve Buscemi who looks barely like Joker but can do maniacal, menacing insanity well than some nobody who looks like him but would do just as good of a job as Halle Berry as Storm. Seems as ridiculous as the Ashton Kutcher as Superman rumors a while back.

Seriously, I'm quietly rooting for Mark Hamill (THE Joker), but I got no problem with Crispin Glover getting favoritism. But some unproven nobody getting the #2 all over the Internet (since this Hulme guy's name has been tossed around on various other sites) over reputed actors simply 'cuz of looks is kinda maddening.

 

[S_H_F_4839]

my current pic is glover, but if there was a time machine, I would say go back in time and get robert englund, because I am watching him in the phantom of the opera, from 89, and he has the hair, and the jaw, and he has an outifit that reminds me of the joker, I think in that movie, he was awesome, and I think he would have made an awesome joker, I tried to find some pics but couldn't find any.

 

[DorkyFresh]

Damian Lewis for Joker!

 

[Darth Nata]

I dont see why everyone writes Adrian Brody off. He has the right build, the right face and the guy can definately act

 

[S_H_F_4839]

Damian Lewis for Joker!

I hadn't thought of him, I think he would make a good joker, if glover doesnt do it, I saw him in dreamcatcher and he plays a creepy badguy.

as far as adrian brody goes, I think the main reason alot of people write him off, is they think he is too skinny, I can't speak for everyone, but thats my personal opinon, I saw him play a killer a few years ago I can't remember the name of the movie, but he buried someone alive in the movie, and I think he is a good actor, but the only way I would see him as the joker would be if he bulked up a little, then I might see it.

I am stating again, this is just my personal opinon on the matter.

 

[Darth Nata]

as far as adrian brody goes, I think the main reason alot of people write him off, is they think he is too skinny, I can't speak for everyone, but thats my personal opinon, I saw him play a killer a few years ago I can't remember the name of the movie, but he buried someone alive in the movie, and I think he is a good actor, but the only way I would see him as the joker would be if he bulked up a little, then I might see it.

Fair enough but have you seen Christian Bale in The Machinist? Any actor can put on weight for a movie

 

[S_H_F_4839]

Fair enough but have you seen Christian Bale in The Machinist? Any actor can put on weight for a movie

I know, I didn't say he was a bad actor, I have seen him play creepy villains before, and if he put on some weight I would raise him up slightly over glover as my pick for joker.

 

[Guinness_Man]

My top picks are Law and Brody but to be honest I think there are many actors that could pull of a good Joker. I liked Law in Road to Perdition, I thought he was creepy and sinister, and he can do a great manic stare. I admit that he would probably make a better Riddler, however as we're probably not going to see a Riddler in the next two films I'd have him play the Joker. If not Law then I think Brody would play the character well. He looks even more like the Joker than Law and he played his character in The Jacket very well. I must admit to not knowing much about Lachy Hulme or Crispin Glover. I like some of the pictures I've seen of Glover and definitely think he looks like he could do The Joker justice, but having never seen him in anything I can't comment on his acting ability. As for Hulme I can't really see why people think he would be so great, but again I haven't seen him in anything (I've seen all the Matrix films but have no idea who he played.) Finally I agree that Defoe would be perfect for the Joker, and that Weaving could probably do the part justice as well, however as WB have apparently said they are looking for a Joker that is around Bale's age I think that counts them out.

 

[Brian Braddock]

I've voted for Crispin Glover but just to offer another suggestion ( one who I think hasn't been mentioned yet)
- How about comedian/actor Lee Evans? I know at first the suggestion might be a little 'out there' due to preconceived ideas based on his roles in 'Mousehunt', ''There's something about Mary' and 'The Medallion' but he has shown he can play dark and disturbed in 'Freeze Frame' (he played an ultra paranoid murder suspect who takes to filming himself round the clock to provide an alibi). Anyone who's seen his stand up routine will testify to the fact that he's absolutly manic and full of energy, he's really thin and wiry - perfect build for the Joker (Killing Joke incarnation) and is a comedian (he'd be able to deliver killer Joker phrases with pure comic timing)

Link - dhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363095/

Just an thought

 

[S_H_F_4839]

My top picks are Law and Brody but to be honest I think there are many actors that could pull of a good Joker. I liked Law in Road to Perdition, I thought he was creepy and sinister, and he can do a great manic stare. I admit that he would probably make a better Riddler, however as we're probably not going to see a Riddler in the next two films I'd have him play the Joker. If not Law then I think Brody would play the character well. He looks even more like the Joker than Law and he played his character in The Jacket very well. I must admit to not knowing much about Lachy Hulme or Crispin Glover. I like some of the pictures I've seen of Glover and definitely think he looks like he could do The Joker justice, but having never seen him in anything I can't comment on his acting ability. As for Hulme I can't really see why people think he would be so great, but again I haven't seen him in anything (I've seen all the Matrix films but have no idea who he played.) Finally I agree that Defoe would be perfect for the Joker, and that Weaving could probably do the part justice as well, however as WB have apparently said they are looking for a Joker that is around Bale's age I think that counts them out.

Hulme played the operator on, ghost, and Jada pinkett smith's ship, her characters name slips my memory at the moment, the only reason I remember that is because I bought the game, and thats where I saw the majority of hulme's acting was in the games cutscenes, and listening to his voice over work, as far as glover goes, he played the thin man in charlie's angels, george mcfly in the back to the future series, and willard, the majority of the manips you have probably scene were probably made from either willard, or charlies angels, I admit alot of people seem to think that he plays a character that is always intimidated, but the reason I think he should play joker, give him a chance to break away from that kind of role and character, I think he could pull it off. as far as Law and brody go, I have said I think brody could pull it off if he bulked up a bit first, and law, I think he is a good actor, but I think his look reminds me too much of nicholson, I may be alone on this but the majority of the pics I have seen of him, he has a look similar to nicholson's joker, and I doubt nolan would want to go with someone that reminds people of the previous franchise since he is trying to do a restart.

I agree, that law would make a great riddler though, the only person besides law that I would like to see play riddler is tim roth, I have heard people suggest him for joker, but I dont see him as a joker really.

 

[Guinness_Man]

Yeh I totally agree spidey_hulk_fan Tim Roth is a great actor, but I don't really see him as Joker either. You're right though he would make an interesting Riddler.

 

[leetwilliams]

Willem Defoe

 

[Detective Flass]

TIM ROTH FOR THE JOKER!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dark Knight]

Stax at IGN favours Paul Bettany, I'm unsure but heres a VERY quick manip.

Paul Bettany??? Bettany should be the young Eric Lencher in the Magento film.

 

[Detective Flass]

Tim Roth

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Tim Roth

we get it. Just b/c you keep posting him for Joker isn't gonna make it more likely.

 

[Detective Flass]

Nolan/Goyer/WB doesn't check the Hype Boards. It won't matter anyway. That's why around December I joined BOF.

 

[VenomFang]

The Joker/Batman dynamic is simply the greatest rivalry in modern literature. That is why so consistantly they have fought and matched wits across all mediums, from graphic novels, television shows, movies, video games...it's absolutely an eternal, an elemental battle of the human Super-ego, and ID.

Where Batman uses discipline, intellect and meticulous planning, the Joker re-invents himself everyday, and relishes in chaos and carnage. Where as Batman is unto himself an institution of laws and regulations, Joker is spontanious and unpredictable. Their duel is the absolute personification of our own battle against the forces of law and self-imposed government, and our need to break free of all restrictions of action and thought. Who wins? Everytime Joker lands a blow, even non-physical gimmicks and jokes, you can feel how not only does it torment the Batman, it literally proves that all rules can be broken, with devastating effect.

That is why only the insanity of the Joker is the true match for Batman. Batman has been trained to predict mostly what is generic in all humans, yet there is no one else like the Joker. You can't prepare for him.

Crispin Glover for Joker, with Mark Hamill's voice over = Joker, live action.

Support.

 

[HarleyLover]

Which is precisely why Batman 2 needs to take place at least a year or two after the events of Begins.

The reference at the end of Begins, and our common knowledge of who The Joker is, is more than enough 'introduction' to the character. It would actually make things much easier, considering any type of origin connecting to Batman would be difficult to pin down in the chronology of Begins. His origin should be a complete mystery, and the film should start off deep in the middle of the classic rivalry between Joker and Batman.

It's that intense relationship that makes their battle so unique; and it's lost in another "Batman meets Joker" story. We've already seen that. We need to see them at their peak.

 

[Knightsaber Priss]

I really think Crispin Glover could pull off the Joker.

 

[Knightsaber Priss]

Nolan/Goyer/WB doesn't check the Hype Boards.

I really think you are wrong. I mean the CINO Forums were just littered with Warner Brothers plants when that was up and running.

 

[P. Cushing]

They weren't plants. They were mentally deficient.



On-Topic:
WILLEM DAFOE!

 

[Riven]

The Joker/Batman dynamic is simply the greatest rivalry in modern literature.

Does anyone who says something like that actually even READ "modern literature"?

I don't mean to sound elitist and bash on the comics medium, but god people, although they definitely constitute one of the most fascinating explorations of themes, ideas and characters in pop culture, comics for the most part do not form the alpha and omega of "modern literature". And yes, the Batman/Joker dynamic is legendary in contemporary entertainment mythology, but hardly original and rarely exceptional.

Crispin Glover for Joker, with Mark Hamill's voice over = Joker, live action.

That is a truly dreadful idea.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Which is precisely why Batman 2 needs to take place at least a year or two after the events of Begins.

It takes Batman a year to find Joker?