Aug 19 2008
Who Can Fill Ledger’s Clown Shoes?
Let’s talk about the poll . If they do the next film right, The Joker will have to play a part in it, so who will it be? (In case you haven’t read an emo LiveJournal entry for a while, Heath Ledger died in January while shooting heroin with Mary-Kate Olsen and Lee Harvey Oswald.)
Now, I’ll say this and I’ll say it only once: Mark Hamill would make a fantastic Clown Prince of Crime. He’s already proven he has the voice in Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and countless other shows. Plus, have you seen how he looks lately? He’s scary as hel–I mean, Arkham Asylum.
Yeesh! Now there’s a face only a blind mother could love.
Dustin Hoffman is a similar actor who I think could really make the part his own. But while he could separate himself from Ledger’s portrayal, he may appear too similar to Jack Nicholson.
Johnny Depp (whose name has been floating around the rumor mill most), Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg are all safe choices who could bring the same charm Ledger did, but they’re a little too popular right now. The thing about Ledger was that he wasn’t a huge star we could associate with other characters. Twenty years from now, we’re going to remember him for his portrayal of The Joker, not the gay cowboy or the boy who couldn’t be tamed .
Which brings up Brendan Fraser. I don’t like him, but I think he could do a great job with role. He always seems to have a fake smile and he’s just popular enough to be accepted by diehard (no pun intended) Heath Ledger fans.
The same goes for Clive Owen, the only man I would ever consider having intimate relations with. Though I’ve never heard him pull off a believable American accent or seen him smile. . . he. . . well. . . (insert daydreaming emoticon)
Now start voting!
I still don’t see Mark Hammill being able to take on the physicality of the role: the ticks and twitches that the Joker needs to have just seem beyond him. Although I could be wrong of course, because the performances I’m thinking of were a long time ago.
* must resist obvious joke *
Brendan Fraser is an interesting idea - under a great director, he can give a great performance, but he has also shown that he really needs the strict direction, otherwise he turns in flat or overly comic performances.
Thanks for the comment. I agree with you on Fraser (reluctantly), but I think you’re really underestimating Mark Hamill. With the right voice, any actor could convince fans that he’s the Insane Clown Incarnate. Mark Hamill has that voice.
I’m not big on commenting, but nice post.
Where do you get your inspiration for your posts?
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later ..