5 Actors That Could Be the Next Joker

For any of you that don’t follow my writing or social media very closely, I recently published some Joker fan fiction based on today’s political climate called "Everything Burns". It was a fun exercise and a way to pay homage to the only superhero I’ve ever really loved. Imagine my surprise when big official Joker news was announced the day I released my final chapter.

Martin Scorsese, famous director of films including Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, and The Departed plans to make a new Joker film. Scorsese is renowned for gritty crime stories featuring tight screenwriting and stellar casts. Sadly, he only plans to produce the movie. Todd Phillips of Hangover fame is slated to direct. That might not be all bad. Phillips most recent effort was the underrated War Dogs. Worse though is that the pair plan to make an origin film. This could mean ruining some of the Joker’s mystique and almost certainly means they’ll cast a young actor to play the part.

I hope they change their minds. I don’t want to see a 20-something Joker. I don’t want to know how he got started on his life of crime or where he got those horrific scars. The scariest villains are the ones we don’t know much about. Don’t believe me? Recall Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy then picture Jake Lloyd podracing or Hayden Christensen whining about getting sand in his shorts. Yeah, that’s what I thought.

I suggest they rethink their plan and come up with a story about an older, meaner Joker instead. Maybe something that takes place in Arkham Asylum. I’d love to see a Joker film in the vein of Scorsese’s Shutter Island. I don’t think anyone can top Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning turn in The Dark Knight, but who best to take on the challenge? Jared Leto wasn’t terrible in Suicide Squad, but I’m thinking someone else of Oscar caliber be given a shot. Here are five potentials.

Brad Pitt

We need an actor that can sell a lot of tickets while simultaneously losing his self in the role. An actor we can’t take our eyes off of as he comes completely unhinged. We could do a lot worse than three-time acting Oscar nominee Brad Pitt. He’s played crazy in films such as 12 Monkeys and Fight Club and you don’t get much grittier performances than his work in Inglourious Basterds, Fury, Killing Them Softly, or The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. 

Johnny Depp

Crazy, you say? There aren’t many actors who do crazy better than Johnny Depp. Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Whitey Bulger… you get the idea. Depp can actually be too over-the-top if you let him, but I think the chance to work with Scorsese might bring out the very best in Depp, another three-time Oscar nominee.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin comes with some baggage and a reputation of sometimes being hard to work with, but he has an amazing body of work. Yet another three-time Oscar nominee, you know him from 8MM, Gladiator, Walk the Line, The Master, and Her. He brings a particular brand of intensity and menace that would translate well into the role of Batman’s most dangerous enemy.

Leonardo DiCaprio

With a long-time working relationship with Scorsese that already includes five films and a sixth currently in production, DiCaprio seems like one of the most obvious choices. This Best Actor Oscar winner and four-time nominee has starred in many critically acclaimed and successful films including Titanic, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, Inception, and The Revenant. Despite his good looks he’s been known to disappear into roles and would provide a unique take on such an iconic character.

Daniel Day Lewis

Older than my other candidates, he’s also the most accomplished of the bunch. He recently announced his retirement from acting, but if anyone could bring him back, it’s Scorsese. Lewis has won the Best Actor Oscar three times and been nominated for it twice more including for Gangs of New York. I can’t think of someone who could play Joker better and if you’re not sure, go watch There Will Be Blood. Lewis is as dark, intimidating and mean as they come.