The first image of Jared Leto’s take on The Joker released and predictably the response was somewhere between “I hate it” and, “It’s total Dog Scat.” I for one don’t understand the vitriolic fanboy/fangirl reaction to anything that isn’t the idealized image of characters from a fondly remembered past that only exists for a few storylines or a single animated series.
I’ll let the movie, the director, the cinematographer, the writer, the crew and the actor tell the story they want to and judge the character at that time. From what little we have though – a single image – I’m fairly excited. This Joker is something new, something I haven’t seen before. The first thing I like is that “Damaged” tattoo on his forehead. Have you ever met anyone who had a face tattoo that wasn’t at least a little off?
Leto’s Joker looks frantic and frenetic, modern and a bit classic. He looks like a gangster and an sociopath who is quite psychotic but maybe altogether sane in the fact that the image he’s going for is shocking. Maybe this Joker knows exactly the effect he wants to have on people, just like Batman with his effect on criminals.
The Internet’s reaction to Heath Ledger’s attempt at Joker was full of hate until those fans actually saw the actor’s performance. Fast forward 7 months and those same fans were crying foul that there would be a backlash if Ledger’s performance didn’t get the Oscar recognition it deserved.
After every great on screen or on the page Joker we’ve witnessed a reimagining of the character that’s gone on to become someone’s favorite. What each of those has in common with the screen ties directly back to Cesar Romero. No one wanted to follow a beloved rendition only to fall flat to the public’s disdain and hatred for a performance. Every actor who has taken on the role has done his best to pull genius from the creative aether and win over a doubtful audience. Like Ledger before him, I trust Leto will rise to the moment.
From the small glance behind the curtain we’ve been given, I have even more faith in the Academy Award winning actor’s ability. For any of those doubters and haters out there I’d like to leave you with the wise words of a Jedi who said about getting his role as The Joker in “Batman The Animated Series”:
“I was experimenting with that laugh for Amadeus and I brought it to the Joker audition and it playe(d) really well. And I felt cocky when I left and thought “That’s the best Joker they are every going to hear – too bad they can’t hire me.” And then two weeks later when they called and said I got the job I immediately lost my confidence.
And then my friend told me you’re pretty brave. And I said why is that? And he said I wouldn’t want to follow Jack Nicholson on anything. And then I got even more scared. But fear is a great motivator.” ~ Mark Hamill from his AMA on Reddit
Image: David Ayer’s Twitter Account @davidayermovies
Mark Avo can usually be found behind a keyboard coding for databases or reviewing the latest in tech and comic books. He can also be found writing and inking comic books for Utah indie publisher Hoffmangler Studio. You can delight or even heckle him with your tweets @MarkAvo and he’ll be totally thrilled.