6 Famous Actors Who Almost Played the Joker in a DC Movie or Show

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As a lifelong fan of both music and cinema, I find it fascinating to delve into the lives of artists who have graced us with their talents in more than one medium. One such individual is none other than the enigmatic David Bowie, a man whose influence on popular culture transcends the boundaries of genre and era.

In my humble opinion, it’s rather unfortunate that Bowie never got to play the Joker in a Batman film, as his unique charisma and chameleon-like ability to transform himself would have undoubtedly brought a fresh perspective to the iconic role. It’s not every day that you find an artist whose life experiences are as colorful and intriguing as the stories he weaves, making him a perfect fit for the Clown Prince of Crime.

Now, imagine Bowie in a Batman movie, singing “Heroes” while battling it out with the Caped Crusader on Gotham’s dark streets. Now that would be something to see!

Joke: And let’s not forget, if David Bowie couldn’t save the world from the Joker, he could always fall back on his plan B – turning himself into Ziggy Stardust and saving the planet from aliens instead!

There are certain roles in Hollywood that can significantly transform an actor’s career, typically for the positive. These could include characters like James Bond or Spider-Man. Actors fortunate enough to land such roles often find themselves consistently featured in news headlines.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me tell you that the Joker stands out in a league of his own. Jack Nicholson’s portrayal in Tim Burton’s Batman truly raised the bar, and Heath Ledger elevated it even further with his unforgettable, award-winning performance in The Dark Knight. Nowadays, any actor stepping into the Joker’s shoes faces immense pressure to deliver an exceptional performance. Some have come close but missed their chance, while others turned down the role for various reasons. It’s fascinating to ponder what the DC universe might look like if these actors had brought their unique interpretations to the Clown Prince of Crime.

In compiling this list, we’ll exclude actors whose roles were merely suggested or expressed an interest, but weren’t actually considered by the production team. For instance, Todd Phillips dispelled the persistent rumor that Leonardo DiCaprio was a serious candidate for Joker. Similarly, Sean Penn refuted claims that Christopher Nolan had extended an offer to him for the part in The Dark Knight. In a bygone era, Frank Sinatra expressed a desire to portray the Joker in the 1966 Batman series, but the role was never formally presented to him.

Here are 6 actors who came close to playing DC’s most famous supervillain, Joker.

6
John Lithgow

Movie: Unmade 1980s Batman Movie

Previously, Warner Bros. was intending to produce a Batman film under the direction of Joe Dante (renowned for his work on “Gremlins”). Dante envisioned the star of “Dexter” as the Joker, but eventually, his enthusiasm waned. He shared this development with Psychotronic Cinema.

As a filmmaker with a passion for both comic book heroes and quirky character actors, I found myself torn between two iconic roles: Batman and The Joker. My personal encounter with John Lithgow during the filming of “The Twilight Zone” movie sparked an unexpected fascination within me. Somehow, my allegiance shifted towards The Joker, a character known for his chaos and madness, rather than the brooding, dark knight.

One fateful night, I found myself awake, wrestling with this internal conflict. I felt it was unconventional to be more drawn to The Joker, but my heart couldn’t be denied. So, I made the difficult decision to turn down the opportunity to direct the Batman film. The studio executives looked at me as if I had gone mad, but I knew in my heart that this wasn’t the right path for me at that time. My journey as a filmmaker has always been about taking risks and exploring uncharted territories, and this decision was no exception.

Bad move? Absolutely! Lithgow was mistaken.

The Future Proved That the Joker Is the True Star

As a lifelong fan of comics and superheroes, I can confidently say that Dante made a mistake when he dropped out due to his misunderstanding about the Joker. Having grown up with Batman and the Joker as staples in my life, I’ve come to appreciate the unique charm and complexity that the Clown Prince of Crime brings to the table.

Dante might have believed that the audience preferred more Batman than the Joker, but he was mistaken. Over the years, the Joker has proven time and again to be a character that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression on both readers and viewers alike. Every movie pitting Batman against his arch-nemesis has confirmed this, with each portrayal adding another layer to the enigmatic character.

I can’t help but wonder if Dante regrets his decision, as he missed out on what I believe to be one of the most fascinating characters in the entire Batman universe. While I can only speculate about his feelings, I hope that he doesn’t harbor any regrets and instead finds solace in the knowledge that he made a choice based on the information available to him at the time.

In retrospect, I believe that Dante would have had an incredible opportunity to explore the depths of the Joker’s character and contribute to his legacy if he had stayed involved in the world of comics. But alas, we can only imagine what could have been.

5
Willem Dafoe

Movie: ‘Batman’ (1989)

In the 80’s, Willem Dafoe was at his peak, largely due to his roles as Sgt. Gordon Elias in Oliver Stone’s ‘Platoon’ and Jesus in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’. Consequently, he became a serious contender for the part of The Joker during the planning stages of Batman. He shared this tidbit with The Hollywood Reporter.

“Screenwriter Sam Hamm said something about how physically I would be perfect for the part.”

Regrettably, the role went to Jack Nicholson instead of him. Nevertheless, his career thrived in the end.

Dafoe Is Still One of Hollywood’s Reliable Actors

In light of Nicholson’s immense popularity during the ’80s, it was only fitting that he was cast for the role. As early as 1980, The New York Times reported that he was the studio’s first pick, making his acceptance or rejection the deciding factor. Under such circumstances, Dafoe’s chances were slim.

As a movie enthusiast, I firmly believe that Dafoe would’ve nailed the role of the Joker. He possesses the required talent and distinctive facial features for the part. Over the years, he has been a recurring subject in various fan art depicting the Joker, which speaks volumes about his suitability for the role. Moreover, his captivating portrayal of the Green Goblin underscores his ability to handle the complexities of superhero roles with grace and conviction.

4
Ryan Gosling

Movie: ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

Ryan Gosling isn’t typically associated with playing villain roles, but The Wrap reveals that he was the initial pick for the part of the Joker in David Ayer’s failed Suicide Squad. However, according to the report, he declined the offer as he didn’t wish to commit to a multi-picture contract. It wasn’t until after he turned down the part that Jared Leto was cast instead.

Dodged a Bullet?

Instead of playing the character in “Suicide Squad,” Gosling portrayed a jazz pianist in “La La Land,” a role that garnered him an Oscar Best Actor nomination. Was it the best decision an actor ever made? While Leto’s performance was appreciated, his intense method acting created some tension among his co-stars. Unfortunately, the film suffered from a weak script and subpar production values, which overshadowed his impressive efforts in the end.

3
Robin Williams

Movie: ‘Batman’ (1989)

In the year 2010, Robin Williams shared with Empire that he was up for not just one, but three distinct roles as a villain in Batman movies on the silver screen. In the film “Batman Forever” from 1995, both he and Michael Jackson were in contention for the role of The Riddler, which eventually went to Jim Carrey. Moreover, Christopher Nolan considered him for the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” but it was his rejection by Tim Burton and Warner Bros. for the role of the Joker in the 1989 “Batman” film that hit him the hardest as he had put significant effort into trying to secure the part of the Clown Prince of Crime.

Williams Had the Smile

In a fitting turn of events, Williams possessed an authentic grin that suited the Joker perfectly, and this was clear in all his films, even when he took on serious roles. Interestingly, Williams shared a deep affection for Batman comics, which allowed him to embody the Joker with genuine fervor. Much like Jack Nicholson, Williams had an undeniable charm that enticed audiences to flock to cinemas. However, the studio only ever expressed interest in Jack Nicholson, so they persistently courted Williams until he eventually agreed.

2
Adrien Brody

Movie: ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Toward the end of the 2000s, following his victories with The Pianist and King Kong, Brody was rumored to be a strong contender for the role of the Joker in The Dark Knight. He admitted to having discussions with director Christopher Nolan, indicating that things were progressing positively. Regrettably, Nolan and Warner Bros. decided to cast Heath Ledger instead.

Brody Feels Neglected

One need only watch Peaky Blinders to realize Brody’s prowess at playing villainous characters. His performance as Luca Changretta, the mobster in the BBC gangster series, earned him much acclaim, and he himself has expressed interest in more roles of this nature, particularly within the superhero genre. Regrettably, studios seldom consider him for such projects.

He told Metro:

I haven’t been offered leading roles in studios like that yet. However, if the chance arises for me to portray a comic book character as either a hero or a villain, I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out.

Hollywood sure is a tough place. But we still dream of the day when we will see Brody as the Joker.

1
David Bowie

Untitled Batman Movie

David Bowie is primarily recognized for his music, yet he had a notable acting career too, appearing in more than 20 films. Interestingly, before Tim Burton, Ivan Reitman (director of Ghostbusters) was considered to direct a Batman movie. In this proposed film, Bill Murray would have played the role of Batman, and David Bowie would have taken on the part of the Joker. Eddie Murphy was also suggested for the role of Robin in this aborted project.

Besides being famous for his music, David Bowie also had a good acting career with over 20 films to his name. An interesting tidbit is that before Tim Burton, another director (Ivan Reitman from Ghostbusters) was planning to make a Batman movie where Bill Murray would play Batman, David Bowie the Joker, and Eddie Murphy as Robin. Unfortunately, this idea never came to fruition.

Comic Writers Consider Bowie the Perfect Joker

David Bowie may not have had the opportunity to play the Joker, but his impact on the character is indelible. Comic book writer Grant Morrison admitted that Bowie’s music influenced his portrayal of the Joker in the “Batman RIP” storyline, even naming one issue “The Ghost of the Thin White Duke.” Similarly, author Neil Gaiman expressed to Wired in 2009 that he would have preferred Bowie as the Joker in an adaptation of Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

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2025-01-04 06:02