I'm always the first to be interested in the creative rewriting and appropriation of all these icons by new artists. And so, I completely agree with
@Adrian Chase previous post about these characters find their strength in their ability to be constantly reinvented.
But I think that, despite everything, we can still define a “classic” image for each of them. Regarding the Joker, I don't think it's a mistake to say that the flamboyant/dandy criminal remains his most popular portrayal... and I also believe that, after 20 years of scar-based reinterpretations, it may feel like a fresh direction again, when it comes to live-action.
I understand that some may find the Joker in this ad too “cheap”, but I think this is more a technical problem than an artistic one. Yes, the visuals, while well done, don't feel like a “real movie”
(and the humorous tone bleeds too much over everything to last any longer without exhaustion).
But give this same Joker to a director whose sensibility knows how to digest and shot
outrageous make-up and design, and I don't see why a Joker like this wouldn't work, visually speaking.
That being said, finding people like that wanting to make a CBM is another thing...
