The 2019 film Joker, which stars Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role of the villain, was actually turned down by a number of A-list actors before Phoenix eventually signed on for the role. According to Los Angeles Times, lead actor contenders for the role included Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, Joaquin Phoenix, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, and even Jack Nicholson in a cameo role.
The role eventually went to Phoenix, who has been widely praised for his performance. Critics have noted the boldness of hiring an A-list actor for the role, as it was initially assumed that the character would be played by a lesser-known actor.
This decision to go with Phoenix, who had very little box office success at the time, has paid off for Warner Bros. as the film has gone on to be the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. It has also received numerous award nominations, including several from the Academy Awards.
Who was first choice for Joker?
The first choice for Joker in the upcoming Joker movie (out in October 2019) was Joaquin Phoenix. Phoenix was always director Todd Phillips’ first choice for the role; Phillips reportedly felt that Phoenix was the perfect person to bring the iconic comic book character to the big screen.
And, of course, Phoenix agreed; it would be his first blockbuster role, and he’s described the part as both “irresistible” and “surreal”. Other actors who were reportedly considered for the part include Leonardo DiCaprio, Jared Leto, and Robert De Niro.
Who auditioned for the Joker?
Several actors auditioned to play the Joker in the live action movie version of the character, including Jared Leto, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Ewan McGregor, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Warner Bros. eventually chose Joaquin Phoenix to portray the Clown Prince of Crime in the 2019 film Joker, which earned him numerous awards and nominations.
Phoenix’s performance was particularly well-received and the movie became the first DC Comics adaptation to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. Other actors who auditioned for the role, such as Jared Leto and Robert De Niro, have gone on to take on smaller roles in DC Comics adaptations.
For example, Leto played the sinister mastermind Joker in the 2016 film Suicide Squad and De Niro was featured in the 2018 film The Lego Batman Movie.
Who else was considered for the Joker Dark Knight?
The role of the Joker in the iconic 2008 film The Dark Knight was originally offered to another notable actor, Johnny Depp. However, Depp ultimately had to turn the role down due to a scheduling conflict with his part in the musical Sweeny Todd.
Director Christopher Nolan then looked to other esteemed actors such as Robin Williams, Steve Carell, and Paul Bettany before ultimately choosing Heath Ledger as the actor to bring the iconic villain to the big screen.
The decision to cast Ledger has been seen as an incredibly inspired and brave choice that was eventually rewarded with an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance. Ledger’s portrayal of the character has since become iconic and is widely regarded as one of the greatest villain portrayals of all time.
Who almost played Batman 1989?
Prior to Michael Keaton landing the role of Batman in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), there were several actors who were considered for the iconic silver screen role of the Caped Crusader. Mel Gibson, David Bowie, Harrison Ford, Bill Murray, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen and Tom Selleck were all considered for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in the first of the blockbuster franchise.
Warner Bros. , meanwhile, was keen to cast an older and more established actor, but Burton insisted that Keaton was the perfect actor to play the comic book crime fighter. Ultimately, the studio relented and cast Keaton, who went on to become an instant superhero icon.
Who was considered for Batman 1989?
Before Michael Keaton was ultimately chosen to star in Tim Burton’s 1989 blockbuster Batman, several other actors were considered for the iconic role of Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting alter ego. Among them were William Hurt, Mel Gibson, Jack Nicholson, Tom Selleck, Bill Murray, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Kurt Russell, Eddie Murphy, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, and Michael J.
Fox. Paramount Pictures had previously approached Tim Burton about the task of bringing the Caped Crusader to life, and the director was quick to zero in on Michael Keaton as his preferred choice. Burton declared that, ‘To bring Batman to the screen, I felt I had to bring in someone who was unknown to the public, someone who had a dark mysterious quality.
Michael was perfect. ‘ In the end, Keaton was awarded the role of Bruce Wayne and the rest is cinematic history.
Did Heath Ledger want to play the Joker?
Yes, Heath Ledger did want to play the Joker. Although the project was first offered to several other actors, including Jim Carrey, when Ledger was offered the part, he actively pursued it and campaigned for it.
The story goes that, after Warner Bros. offered him the part, Ledger camped outside Christopher Nolan’s hotel room and pitched himself on why he should play the part. Nolan later said that Ledger’s passionate commitment to the part was a major factor of why he was ultimately cast.
Ledger, in researching the part, took inspiration from Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s famous The Killing Joke graphic novel, as well as from documentaries about psychopaths.
Did Robin Williams audition for Joker?
No, Robin Williams did not audition for the role of the Joker in the iconic 1989 Batman movie. Instead, the director, Tim Burton, chose Jack Nicholson to bring the Joker to life in the big-screen adaptation.
Jensen Ackles, who is perhaps best known for playing Dean Winchester in the hit TV series Supernatural, screen-tested for the role, but Nicholson was ultimately chosen. Although Williams was not considered for the role of the Joker, he did voice the character in the Batman: The Animated Series cartoon; he also voiced genie in the Disney animated classic, Aladdin, and was well-known for roles in Mrs.
Doubtfire and Hook. Williams was an incredibly talented and beloved actor who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Who was originally cast as the Joker?
Originally, Jack Nicholson was cast as the Joker in Tim Burton’s 1989 film Batman. He was famously chosen for the iconic role as he had enough of a blend of seriousness and humor to be perfect for the unique character.
Nicholson had reportedly been Warner Bros. first choice for the role, even after other actors had already been considered. Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker was widely praised by critics, and the role went on to become an iconic representation of the Joker character in popular culture.
Is Jack Nicholson the original Joker?
No, Jack Nicholson was not the original Joker. The character itself was created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson and first appeared in Batman #1 in April 1940. The Joker has been portrayed by numerous actors throughout the years, starting with Cesar Romero in the 1966 TV series, Batman.
Jack Nicholson played the Joker in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie, but prior to that, the character had been portrayed by other actors, such as Caesar Romero, the Robert Wheeler (the Joker on Batman: The Animated Series), and Mark Hamill, who voiced the character in various media for over twenty years.
Did Heath Ledger pass away?
Yes, Heath Ledger passed away in 2008. He was an Australian actor best known for his role as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Ledger passed away on 22 January 2008 in his apartment in New York City.
The cause of death was ruled as an accidental overdose of prescription medications. He was 28 years old at the time of his death.
Ledger’s performance of Joker won him numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2009. In 2010, Time magazine listed Ledger in its annual TIME 100 as one of the most influential people of 2008.
His untimely death sparked grief in the entertainment industry and subsequently greater appreciation for his remarkable talent to portray characters.
