Dark Knight Fanboys: "Joker Should Be Retired"

[John Funk]

Dark Knight Fanboys: "Joker Should Be Retired"

Claiming that the late Heath Ledger's spotlight-stealing version of the Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight is an unmatchable performance, a group of his fans have launched a petition [http://www.theultimatejoker.com/sign-up/] calling for movie studios to permanently retire the character from any and all future Batman films.

In The Ultimate Joker [http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2009/02/heath-ledger-nu.html] - said that he "truly believe Ledger's performance as Joker is the best an actor could ever do." Since anyone trying to follow in Ledger's footsteps would unquestionably "be below expectations for sure," argues Barbella, the logical choice would be to permanently retire Batman's iconic nemesis from the silver screen.

These are some pretty lofty words, considering that Ledger was merely the latest in a long line of notable Jokers; my personal favorite being Mark Hamill's cackling interpretation of the role in Batman: The Animated Series. Ledger's anarchic, nihilistic portrayal is certainly a hard act to follow - and he's currently the running favorite to take home a posthumous Oscar at the Academy Awards - but permanently retiring the character seems to be going a bit too far.

If people had said the same thing after Jack Nicholson's performance in 1989's Batman, we wouldn't have ever gotten Heath Ledger in the first place. So the whole idea of it seems a bit ridiculous to me. Still, for the time being, the crew at The Ultimate Joker is standing by their argument - what do you all think? Is Ledger's performance unbeatable? Should the Joker be retired? Sound off in our forums.

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[ironfist86]

I remember hearing a lot of people complaining that Heath could never be as good as Jack was in Burton's flick. How Jack was the real Joker. I'm sure there have been a lot of converts. While I like Heath's best, and it may indeed always be the best, I don't think you should retire the role permanently. The Joker should definitely not be more than a voice in Arkham in the next movie, there is plenty of stories that can be told without him as a character. Then, if they continue with the franchise, maybe consider it. Perhaps if it reaches Superman/Batman, have a Joker/Luthor team-up or something crazy.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Decide for yourself

Cesar Romero [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbEAhBshj34&feature=related]
Jack Nicholson [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFJ3pbKnqR4&feature=channel]
Mark Hamill [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25y_7KIbqTw&feature=channel]
Kevin Micheal Richardson [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp_LETHBqTw&feature=related]
Heath Ledger [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOC4TJYrHig&feature=channel]

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Bah. I really don't consider the Nolan Joker on the same caliber as DC's classic Joker. An amazing performance and beautiful re-imagining to be sure, but it's much the same as Marvel's Ultimate Universe compared to the Classic. Everything is different and you can't really hold them against each other.

 

[sneakypenguin]

I personally didn't find heath to be anything more than a remake of Jack Ns character. Of course I was one of the few people that saw the flaws in the movie when it first came out, so i've generally hated that movie TDK.

 

[Doug]

Oh for f.... this is ridiculous - Ok, Heath Ledger was a superb Joker to my eyes (I saw Dark Knight last night, as it randomly happens), but this insanely over the top fanboyism is too much. Even if he really is the best that will ever, ever be, it still doesn't mean there can't be another actor to play the role. I do think Heath Ledger's version of the Joker was my favourite, and possibly the best, I don't think a) this is right, or b) he would have wanted this madness!

 

[Kukakkau]

That's just ignorant to say he's definetly going to be the best joker ever and it's up to the producers whether or not the character is continued or not.

 

[goater24]

Heath is dead long live other actors playing Joker. He did well but its not enough to write out Batmans arch nemesis from future works. Fanboys wanting to ban the Joker are the laughing stock!

 

[Nikajo]

I thought Heath was honestly brilliant at the Joker, and it was one of my favourite films of last year. But this is WAY too far, just because Heath was that good doesn't mean other actors shouldn't be given a chance to act it aswell. Some people are just way too extreme with this kind of thing!

 

[Hamster at Dawn]

I don't think they should have the Joker in any more Christopher Nolan Batman movies but that's not to say they should never have another Joker character in any Batman thing ever.

 

[Blind0bserver]

Okay, I enjoyed Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight as much as the next guy, but starting a cause to keep the character from ever being played again by another actor is downright idiotic. Their entire cause is based off of a subjective opinion, and even if it was based of fact they can't forcefully retire what is essentially an icon.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Heath Ledger did a superb job, but yes, why is there no chance someone can do better?

Without wishing to disrespect him or his memory, I think we can idolise the dead a little too much sometimes, to the point where they can do no wrong and are beyond criticism.

I don't actually have any criticism of him, but I don't see why another actor could not do better, after all, as said above, many thought Nicholson's portrayal could not be beaten.

 

[KaZZaP]

Duh, the joker should be totally done for this series but in future movies why not. I'm sure people (might of) thought Jack Nicholson was the best joker ever, but you never know what might happen down the road.

 

[TomNook]

Mark Hamil is the superior Joker so the point is moot.

 

[sirdapfrey]

This is just ridiculous, even for fanboys. The Joker is a necessary staple of Batman canon. There is no way the companies with the rights to the Batman franchise will ever go for this.

No Joker=No Batman

 

[AgentNein]

Lets hear it for fanboys with a complete lack of imagination. It's really funny how everybody bitched and worried over if Heath would be as good of a joker as Jack Nicholson, and now they're bitching and worrying that some future undefined actor wouldn't be good enough to top ledger.

Ledger was great, don't get me wrong. But one day we might come around to the idea of another actor giving us yet another aspect of this mythic character. One can only hope they at least try.