A Look At The Big Screen Jokers Ahead Of Jared Leto's Suicide Squad Debut

Whenever a new actor applies white make-up, dyes their hair green and dons a purple jacket to take on the iconic role of Batman’s nemesis The Joker, it’s a special occasion.

Over the years the part has taken on an almost mythical quality, thanks to three especially-towering performances. As Jared Leto prepares to take his first bow as the Clown Prince of Crime in ‘Suicide Squad’, we’ve decided to take a look at him and the four other major big-screen Jokers to date.

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Cesar Romero

With his famous painted-over moustache Cesar Romero’s (above, far right) performance in the famous 60s 'Batman’ TV series - and later in 1966’s 'Batman: The Movie’ - was the first depiction of the character outside the comics.

As manic and campy as Adam West era of Batman as a whole, his was a performance faithful to the lighter, more innocent depictions of the Batman world.

Jack Nicholson

Prior to the release of 'The Dark Knight’ in 2008, nobody knew how Heath Ledger could possibly top Jack Nicholson’s Joker in Tim Burton’s 1989 take on the Batman mythos.

Nicholson’s performance brought a deranged edge to the character in a darker depiction than a mass 80s audience would have been used to. Comic book fans however, had come to know a darker version of the character through the 70s and 80s.

It was a great interpretation of the character and a top performance, but ultimately the best way to describe it is: “Jack Nicholson playing The Joker as Jack Nicholson”. In hindsight, that takes the edge off slightly.

Heath Ledger

The widely-accepted “best Joker ever” is the one that shocked everyone in blowing Nicholson’s out of the water. Dark, twisted and funny, Ledger put a contemporary twist on the character that didn’t just make him fit in with Christopher Nolan’s grounded take on Batman, but made this Joker perfect for the modern world.

Ledger tragically died before he could see the result of his hard work, and was eventually rewarded for his performance with a posthumous Oscar. Would he even have been nominated if he hadn’t died? It doesn’t matter. He deserved it regardless.

Mark Hamill

Hamill first took on The Joker in 90s classic 'Batman: The Animated Series’ before starring in feature length story 'Mask of the Phantasm’, Rocksteady Studios’ trio of Arkham video games and now in an animated adaptation of Alan Moore’s character-defining comic 'The Killing Joke’ - available in select cinemas.

Hamill is best known for his role as ‘Star Wars’ hero Luke Skywalker, but his greatest role is as The Joker. His is the best depiction of the character, and he does it all with just his voice.

It is a timeless take that mixes all that has made the character work in his 76 years in existence. He has no doubt benefited from years of experience playing the part, but that doesn’t take away from Mark Hamill’s Joker comfortably being the greatest to date.

Jared Leto

No pressure Jared. To date Leto’s incarnation has been bathed in controversy, from the design to the actor’s decision to go method and send his co-stars rats, used condoms and other awful things.

The 'Damaged’ tattoo on this Joker’s forehead is a bit too on-the-nose and Leto’s method acting has certainly crossed the line (there’s method acting and then there’s being an immature nuisance) but the trailers have hinted at what could be a great take on the Joker.

Despite the character’s design rubbing some fans the wrong way, it is a stark departure from Ledger’s Joker - who casts a long shadow even eight years on. This new Joker needed to be different, and it certainly is.

We’ll find out this week whether Leto’s approach has been worth it, but what’ll be most interesting to see is how he fits into Warner Bros’ DC Extended Universe long-term. If he’s to appear in a string of films as the character he could eventually create a version of the character that’s up there with Ledger’s and Hamill’s.

'Suicide Squad’ will be released on Friday 5 August.

Picture Credits: Warner Bros