As a dedicated fan of Batman and his villainous counterparts, I must admit that my initial reaction to David Howard Thornton as the Joker was nothing short of electrifying! The man who brought Art the Clown to life on the silver screen has certainly proven he can handle the darker side of clowning.
David Howard Thornton’s chilling performance of Art the Clown in the Terrifier films has solidified his status as a contemporary horror legend. Art, known for being one of the most ruthless clown characters in pop culture history, has left audiences cringing with his brutal slashing, hacking, and even setting himself on fire to achieve box office triumph. Yet, it’s not just Art that showcases Thornton’s villainous talent; he once played the Joker in a Batman fan production, causing quite a stir among DC Comics enthusiasts.
David H. Thorton, who portrayed The Joker in a fan production previously, expresses his interest in reprising the role for James Gunn’s DC Universe.
Just hand him the keys already. He gets it.
— Pimp Master Broda (@PimpMasterYoda1) October 22, 2024
A video posted by user @PimpMasterYoda1 (previously known as Twitter) showcases the “Terrifier” actor portraying the infamous Gotham villain, the Joker. In this scene, he saunters into a dim room, delighting in terrorizing two unfortunate souls who aren’t thrilled by his grinning presence. With only one of them expected to survive, the Joker proposes a cruel contest using firearms, giving them an opportunity to battle for their life. While Thornton’s interpretation of the character is more exaggerated than Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal as the Joker, it retains the menacing vibe that made him iconic as Art.
Since the video reappeared, some fans are advocating for Thornton to don the facial paint in an authentic DC Studios production. However, others believe he isn’t suitable for the part due to several factors. To delve deeper into this topic, let’s examine the fan film, gather opinions on Thornton’s portrayal, and uncover his connection with the DC character.
Terrifier’s Art the Clown, David Howard Thornton, played the Joker in a fan film
David Howard Thornton was revealed as the Joker in the web series titled “Nightwing: Escalation.” This series, produced by Alex Valderana, Zack Abramowitz, and Jon Caballello, is a heartfelt tribute to the characters of DC Comics. Various characters such as Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and many more made their appearance in this project.
Back in 2010, I found myself stepping into the role of Nightwing in the series “Nightwing: Escalation.” This epic journey lasted until 2017, producing a total of 19 thrilling episodes. Guess who made six appearances throughout this adventure? Yep, you guessed it – The Joker, portrayed by none other than Sean Thornton. So, that clip isn’t the only time he got to show off his twisted take on Gotham’s beloved clown.
Through “Nightwing: Escalation,” Thornton had an opportunity to portray a renowned character. However, he yearns to exhibit his acting abilities as the Joker in a prominent production. Frequently, he has shared the Joker’s monologues with fans, but it appears that he craves a more substantial role.
David Howard Thornton said he would love to play Joker in James Gunn’s DCU
In the past, various well-known actors such as Robin Williams, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell almost played the Joker, while Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix’s performances have been recognized with awards. The character has attracted top talent from Hollywood, and David Howard Thornton expresses his hope that he will be considered for the role in future projects.
In his conversation with GamesRadar+, he shared that The Joker is his all-time favorite villain and it’s a role he dreams of portraying someday. He expressed hope that someone as creative as James Gunn might offer him the chance to bring this character to life, because he has many exciting ideas for the character.
Since Gunn initially made a name for himself crafting gory films such as “Tromeo and Juliet” under Troma Entertainment, it’s likely that he understands Thornton’s ambition to transition from niche comedy-horror movies to major DC productions. Whether the head of DC Studios will grant Thornton’s wish remains uncertain, but there are many who believe he is worthy of such an opportunity.
Some fans are lobbying James Gunn for David Howard Thornton to play Joker
David Howard Thornton’s performance as the Joker in “Nightwing: Escalation” has been under the radar for quite some time, but recently, it’s caught the attention of many viewers on social media. Some fans believe that James Gunn should consider casting him in a DC Studios project, with @NotEscrima being one of them who stated emphatically, “David Howard Thornton (the clown from Terrifier) would be perfect for playing the Joker in James Gunn’s DCU. He clearly excels at portraying a murderous circus character.
Some fans think that the clip hints at Thornton’s potential as Joker, and they are excited for Gunn to let him fully explore the role. “@Hooraydiation” praised Thornton’s performance, saying it captured the essence of the Batman: The Animated Series version, and expressed enthusiasm about what he could do if given more creative freedom.
According to NikkiStokely89, Thornton skillfully blended the flamboyant qualities of Caesar Romero’s Joker from the 1960s “Batman” series and the terrifying essence of Mark Hamill’s Joker from the ’90s cartoon into a single, warped character.
From a different perspective, some individuals express their wish that Thornton continues with his portrayal of Art but passes on the role of the Joker to another actor. We can explore the arguments against his depiction of the DC antagonist.
Other Batman fans think the Art the Clown actor’s Joker is just a ripoff
In terms of well-known clown characters, the Joker and Ronald McDonald are equally beloved in popular culture. This popularity has spawned a devoted following who argue that any other malevolent clown pales in comparison to the Joker. Critics have made similar observations about art, leading some fans to express concern that David Howard Thornton might be involved in a DC Studios project, fearing that his character could dilute the unique appeal of the Joker.
As a devoted fan, I’d put it this way: “He proposed a fusion of The Joker and Art The Clown, with barely any boundaries set, when discussing his desire to portray DC’s villain. However, some spectators contend that his interpretation of The Joker is overly reminiscent of other performers’ portrayals. ‘This seems to be a live-action adaptation of Hamill’s animated Joker rather than an original take on the character,’ X’s @varsitywook asserted.
From my perspective, as a dedicated DC fan, reactions to Jason Thornton’s portrayal of the Joker in the fan film have been quite diverse. While some fans, like @brookks_414, found it unwatchable and believe his joining the DC Universe would be disastrous, others seem more open to the idea. However, regardless of where fans stand, Thornton’s performance as Joker has certainly sparked intriguing discussions among us.
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2024-10-24 18:30