Still the funniest and most iconic Joker there ever will be. Also the most comic book accurate.
Ledger was decent as the Joker but massively overrated due to his death. And I don't know who the hell Joaquin Phoenix was playing, but it wasn't the Joker. Great performance in general, but he was playing a different character altogether.
I still prefer Jack Nicholson's Joker but like Heath Ledger's as well. So many negative comments in this thread about both of them. People saying, "Jack Nicholson just played his character in the Shining!" That's stupid! Sure he was over the top towards the end of the Shining but for you to say his character of the Joker is exactly like the character in the Shining is so stupid! It's also really stupid that people think someone else besides Jack Nicholson should've played the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman. On the other hand, you TC really bashed Heath Ledger's Joker and insist he's not the Joker which is also kind of a jerk thing to say. That's the problem with threads like this. They bring out the worst in everyone. People can't just appreciate both takes. They got love one and hate the other!
shareYep. In that time and place (1988). I also believe Jack Nicholson was the best choice to play The Joker.
I think Robin Williams was in the running. And actually, one may be wrong on this, I think Burton's first choice for the role was John Lithgow.
One can remember being very happy Jack Nicholson got the role.
Agree 100%.
Nicholson was a good Joker but no he has been surpassed multiple times in terms of Joker performances sorry. Also I don't agree about him being the most comic book accurate either.
shareNot just the best Joker but the best villain in a live action Batman movie.
There's a reason why every live action Batman movie since has never had one villain and it's because deep down the filmmakers know they have to make up for Nicholson's lack of powerhouse.
So Returns had Penguin and Catwoman, Batman Forever had Riddler and Two-Face, Batman and Robin had Freeze and Ivy, Batman Begins had Scarecrow and Ras Al Guhl, The Dark Knight had Joker and Two Face, Dark Knight Rises had Bane and Catwoman, and The Batman had Penguin and Riddler.
Nicholson's presence and charisma was more than enough to carry the villain material on his own.