The Joker is one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time. His origin is a huge mystery, and the more it stays that way, the better, just like how Batman should not kill, it's a rule. In one of his quotes in one of the greatest Batman graphic novels The Killing Joke, he simply said "Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another. If I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice." The main origin is used in The Killing Joke, where the Joker was an unnamed failed comedian, committing a crime as the Red Hood to protect his wife. Unfortunately, Batman's interference causes him to fall into a vat of chemicals, scars him, finding out that his wife was dead, and then going insane, causing him to become the Joker.
The Joker has been voiced by many different actors, including Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. But what I want to talk about are the Three actors that have played him live action in the past. There was Cesar Romero in the 1966 Batman TV show, There was Jack Nicholson in the 1989 Batman movie directed by Tim Burton, and finally, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. It seems now that there is a new DC Universe on the way, there's got to be a new Joker eventually, and I know that it is hard to top Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight, and I don't want WB to do it now, just when the time comes, with that said, I've come up with a list of actors who I think could pull off playing the clown prince of crime. Also, I will put down other comic book characters that these actors could pull off. So, here we go. These are the top 10 actors who I think should play the next JOKER!
Number 10: Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Gamer) age: 42
Dexter was my favorite show of all time until how it ended. But one of the things that made the show work was Hall's performance as the shows main protagonist. He IS Dexter! The way how he's intimidating towards everyone around him is a great start, and also having an outstanding sense of humor in real life that he can bring to the screen. The only problem is that I think he's to muscular for the character, but that can change.
Other characters I can see him as: Daredevil, The Riddler, Hush, and Lex Luthor.
Number 9: Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, The Hunt, Hannibal) age: 48
I chose this actor for mainly two reasons. One, his performance on the show Hannibal, (Which I strongly recommend) and two, he is the only actor I can see in Joker makeup and imagine him as the Joker in Batman: Arkham Asylum/City. Plus, playing a character that is similar to Hannibal Lecter in a comic book movie shouldn't be a stretch. He'd have to hide his accent, which shouldn't be a problem.
Other characters I can see him as: Hugo Strange and Morbius.
Number 8: Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall) age: 44
Mixing Anton from No Country for Old Men and Silva from Skyfall, and you get one hell of a Joker. You got the goofy side of him that we notice when he's spreading anarchy and chaos in Skyfall, but then we also get the serious side of him when he's spreading anarchy and chaos like Anton. Plus, Anton is pretty much the Joker in the real world.
Other characters I can see him as: Two-Face and Bane
Number 7: Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad, Drive, Argo) age: 57
I've been seeing a lot of "Bryan Cranston as Commissioner Gordon/Lex Luthor" more than I need to. Even though I think that he would be great at playing either one of them. One reason I went for Cranston is because he is a master of Comedy, Drama, and sometimes both at the same time. Mixing Hal From Malcolm in the Middle and Walter White from Breaking Bad as one person is just brilliant. Just like Javier Bardem. The only thing that I would have a problem with is the age of 57, unless they were doing a Batman: The Dark Knight Returns movie or a Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker movie. Still don't believe he can be a Joker, check out the scene at Season 4 Episode 12 of Breaking Bad, where he does a perfect menacing Joker laugh.
Other characters I can see him as: Commissioner Gordon, Lex Luthor, Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, and J. Jonah Jameson.
Number 6: Michael Emerson (Saw, Lost, Person of Interest, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) age: 59
Speaking of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Yes, I know Emerson voiced Joker in the animated film, but what's to stop him playing a live action version of the character? If WB and DC ever did a live action Dark Knight Returns movie, Emerson would steal the show. We know that he can play crazy, so why not give him a chance.
Other characters I can see him as: The Riddler and The Scarecrow.
Number 5: James Franco (Spider-Man Trilogy, 127 Hours, This Is the End) age: 35
Being the youngest one on the list, I wanted to try something a little different. The main reason I put Franco on the list is for one reason only: his performance as Alien in Spring Breaker. Whether you love or hate the movie, you can't deny that James Franco steals the show. His character is goofy, unpredictable and terrifying all at the same time, just like the Joker. He reminded me a lot of Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. The one aspect he did that Ledger did was that he always stayed in character at all times, even off set. It would be quite a stretch for Franco to go this route.
Other characters I can see him as: None
Number 4: Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, The Hobbit Trilogy, Star Trek Into Darkness) age: 37
Not only does he have the perfect facial structure of the clown prince of crime, but the acting chops to play a psychopath, like he was as "John Harrison" in Star Trek Into Darkness. Cumberbatch has become one of the most popular names in pop culture recently. His ability to be unpredictable makes him a perfect candidate.
Other characters I can see him play: Mr. Freeze, Doctor Strange, and Brainiac.
Number 3: Matthew Lillard (Scream, The Descendants) age 43
This is an actor who desperately needs a comeback badly. I mean you can say that he was good in The Descendants, and I agree, but it was just such a small role for him. His performance in Scream on the other hand reminds me a lot of the Joker in the Arkham games.
Other characters I can see him as: None
Number 2: Sharlto Copley (District 9, The A-Team, Elysium) age: 40
Ever since I read the first fancast with his name attached to the Joker's, I thought to myself "Oh, that's perfect." He's got the perfect body structure, acting chops, and deserves to be in a comic book movie. There really isn't that much to say about him other than the fact that he's be perfect for the role
Other characters I can see him playing: The Riddler, Zsasz, The Mad Hatter, Sal Maroni, and Carnage.
Number 1: Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno, Hugo, and The Dictator) age: 42
Now I know what most of you are thinking. "The guy who played Borat? Really?" Yes, really. To me, Sacha is essentially the Joker in real life. When he wants to be funny, he's hysterical, but he will also let you know when he wants you to take him seriously, whether it's in a movie, or in real life. He is one of the most dedicated actors of our generation. How dedicated you say? He does the majority of his interviews in character, even for the serious movies, like Hugo and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and he knows how to win an audience. So in my opinion, Sacha Baron Cohen is my number one choice to play the next Joker.
Other characters I can see him as: The Riddler
Let me know which one of these actors is your favorite choice. If you don't like them, feel free to voice your opinion and tell me who you would like to play the Joker.