The Joker's Curse: 6 Actors Who Played Batman's Greatest Villain And The Shocking Failure Of Joker 2

The Joker remains the most iconic and complex villain in comic book history, a chaotic mirror reflecting the darkness of Gotham City and the unwavering resolve of Batman. As of December 2025, the cinematic conversation around the Clown Prince of Crime has never been more intense, driven by the surprising critical and commercial performance of the latest film, *Joker: Folie à Deux*. This article delves into the complete history of the live-action Joker actors, examines the immediate aftermath of the musical sequel, and looks ahead to the future of the character in both the DC Universe (DCU) and the *The Batman* universe.

The role of the Joker is a prestigious and perilous one, often seen as a career-defining challenge that has yielded an Academy Award and cemented the legacies of multiple Hollywood legends. From the campy antics of the 1960s to the gritty, psychological terror of modern cinema, each actor has left an indelible mark on the character’s dark evolution, forcing audiences to constantly re-evaluate who truly delivered the definitive performance.

The Complete Biography: Every Major Live-Action Joker Actor

The Joker has been brought to life by a select group of talented actors, each defining the character for their generation. This list focuses on the major live-action theatrical and television portrayals, showcasing the diverse interpretations of the infamous villain.

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• Cesar Romero (1966–1968): The original live-action Joker, Romero portrayed the character in the *Batman* television series and the 1966 film *Batman: The Movie*. His take was campy, flamboyant, and comedic, perfectly fitting the pop-art aesthetic of the era. Famously, Romero refused to shave his mustache, which was simply painted over with white makeup.
• Jack Nicholson (1989): Starring in Tim Burton's *Batman*, Nicholson's Joker, a.k.a. Jack Napier, was a gangster who fell into a vat of chemicals. His performance was theatrical, energetic, and darkly humorous, blending the character's comic book roots with a distinct Hollywood star power.
• Heath Ledger (2008): In Christopher Nolan's *The Dark Knight*, Ledger delivered a nihilistic, anarchist portrayal that earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This version of the Joker was a scarred, mysterious agent of chaos, setting a new benchmark for the character's psychological depth.
• Jared Leto (2016–2021): Leto's controversial portrayal appeared in *Suicide Squad* and the "Snyder Cut" of *Justice League*. His version featured a modern, tattooed look, embodying a more deranged, gang-leader aesthetic that divided critics and fans.
• Joaquin Phoenix (2019–2024): Phoenix's Arthur Fleck in *Joker* and *Joker: Folie à Deux* is a deeply troubled, mentally ill aspiring comedian whose descent into madness sparks a violent social uprising in Gotham City. His performance in the first film won him the Academy Award for Best Actor, making him one of the few actors to win an Oscar for portraying a comic book character.
• Barry Keoghan (2022): Keoghan made a brief, uncredited cameo as the "Unseen Arkham Prisoner" at the end of Matt Reeves' *The Batman*. His unsettling, scarred, and minimalist appearance has generated massive speculation about his potential role as the main villain in future installments of the *Batman* universe.

The Aftermath of Joker: Folie à Deux's Box Office Failure

The latest chapter in the Joker's cinematic history, *Joker: Folie à Deux*, which premiered in October 2024, has become the subject of intense scrutiny and debate, particularly due to its unexpected commercial and critical reception. The sequel, which saw Joaquin Phoenix reprise his role as Arthur Fleck alongside Lady Gaga as the new Dr. Harleen "Lee" Quinzel (a distinct take on Harley Quinn), was a significant departure from the original, embracing a musical format.

The film, directed by Todd Phillips, was reportedly produced on a substantial budget of around $190–200 million. Despite the star power of Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the sequel struggled to connect with audiences and critics alike. Reports indicate that *Joker: Folie à Deux* became a major box-office failure for Warner Bros., grossing approximately $207.5 million worldwide, a figure that barely covers the production budget and marketing costs.

Critics lambasted the film for its narrative choices and the controversial integration of musical numbers, which Phoenix himself was reportedly nervous about, despite his encouragement to Lady Gaga to "sing poorly" to fit the character's deranged state. The shocking performance of the sequel—especially when compared to the original *Joker*'s billion-dollar success—has led to widespread speculation about the future of this particular "Elseworlds" storyline and the potential for a third film in the franchise.

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The Joker's Future: Barry Keoghan vs. the DCU Recast

The cinematic landscape for Batman's nemesis is currently split between two distinct universes, each with its own Clown Prince of Crime. The future of the character hinges on the decisions of DC Studios co-CEOs and the creative direction of the *The Batman* franchise.

Barry Keoghan: The Next Mainline Villain

The most anticipated future iteration of the Joker belongs to Barry Keoghan, whose brief but terrifying appearance in *The Batman* (2022) established a truly monstrous, heavily scarred version of the villain. Keoghan's take is part of director Matt Reeves' dark, grounded "Batverse," and the expectation is high for his return.

While Keoghan has been non-committal about his official casting in the upcoming *The Batman: Part II*, his definitive comments about his willingness to return have fueled fan theories that he will serve as the primary antagonist in the third film, following the established villain for the sequel. This portrayal represents a return to the direct conflict between Batman and the Joker, a dynamic absent from the *Joker* films. His performance is poised to be the next great benchmark against the towering legacy of Heath Ledger's Joker.

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Jared Leto and the DCU Recast

The future of Jared Leto’s divisive Joker in the main DCU appears to be all but over. With James Gunn and Peter Safran taking the helm of DC Studios and launching a new, cohesive DCU, the characters from the previous era are being recast or rebooted. Industry speculation and comments from the DC Studios leadership strongly suggest that Leto's version of the character, which was connected to the *Suicide Squad* timeline, will not be retained.

This decision paves the way for a completely new Joker to be introduced in the forthcoming DCU, particularly in the highly anticipated film *The Brave and the Bold*, which will feature a new Batman. The search for a new Joker actor will undoubtedly ignite a fresh wave of casting speculation, as the role remains one of the most coveted in Hollywood.

The Undying Legacy of the Clown Prince of Crime

The Joker's cultural impact extends far beyond box office numbers and critical reviews. Each actor's interpretation—from Jack Nicholson's flamboyant madness to Heath Ledger's chilling anarchy and Joaquin Phoenix's tragic descent into sociopathy—has reflected and influenced the cultural zeitgeist. The character has evolved from a simple comic book trickster to a profound symbol of chaos, rebellion, and the anxieties of the modern world.

The ongoing debate over the "Best Joker" is a testament to the character's enduring complexity and the sheer talent of the actors who have dared to wear the unsettling grin. While *Joker: Folie à Deux* may have stumbled, the fact that two separate cinematic universes are actively developing new versions of the villain confirms that the Joker's reign as the ultimate cinematic antagonist is far from over. Fans will continue to look to the future, eagerly awaiting the next actor who will attempt to fill the Clown Prince of Crime’s oversized shoes and redefine madness for a new generation.