Summary
TheJokermay be the most quotable character in the entireDC Universe. Since appearing inBatman#1 in 1940, the Clown Prince of Crime has been the most iconic and effective foil to Bruce Wayne’s hero. Channeling madness, charm, and upsetting uses of violence, The Joker has become a necessary character in the Batman canon and has appeared in movies and television with diverse interpretations. With therelease date ofJoker: Folie À Deuxset for late 2024, there has been no better time to review the canonical quotes of the DC villain.
Drawn by a series of artists in comics, then voiced by actors as iconic as Mark Hamill, Alan Tudyk, and Zach Galifianakis in animation, there is a long legacy of The Joker that each new live-action performer must contend with in their portrayals. Many have done it exceptionally well, withHeath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix receiving Academy Awards for their portrayals.Still, it appears more Jokers may be ahead, with speculation aboutcasting the DCU Batman movie’s Jokeralready beginning. These quotes can help to understand the enigmatic character better.
Every Actor Who’s Played The Joker In Live-Action
One of the most iconic villains of all time, the Joker pops up in various live-action films and TV shows; here’s every actor who’s played the part.
Jack Nicholson - Batman (1989)
A striking meta-comment for 1989, The Joker says these words in comparison to reactions to Batman himself by the public. However, it is most effective when looking at the historical arc ofBatmanin cinema. Following a goofy and campy iteration as the only Batman and Joker to grace the big screen,Jack Nicholson’s casting as the villain was a move that changed how superhero movies could be seen. Nicholson brought gravitas and madness to a character who had been more silly than terrifying up to then.
Nicholson’s Joker leans into that silliness but with a disturbing edge. His quips are punctuated by violence, andhis psychopathic tendencies play themselves out even as he is dancing and laughing onscreen.Pulling from the late 1970s and 1980s comic books, The Joker becomes the villain that the public knows and loves with this performance in this film.
Batman
Cast
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
10"Don’t Talk Like One Of Them. You’re Not! Even If You’d Like To Be. To Them, You’re Just A Freak, Like Me!"
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight (2008)
The duality of Joker and Batman has increasingly become a dominant theme in storytelling surrounding the DC characters.Joker needs Batman just as much as Batman needs Joker; they feed upon one another’s madness in a cosmic, fated way. With Heath Ledger’s celebrated performance, he speaks these uncomfortable words, reflecting on their shared space in the world. Neither of the two are normal, ordinary people, and they should be aware of that.
The thought of Batman supporting The Joker is strange, but it has been explored in many mediums since.Ledger’s performance here elevated the comic book storytelling medium in what is considered one of the greatest films ever. Seeing how much of the story is distilled into a single line effectively communicates what works so well about the Christopher Nolan film.
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
9"How Many Can Die In Your Arms Before You Grow Numb To Death?"
Jared Leto - Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
The most famous quote from Joker inZack Snyder’s Justice Leagueis arguably “We live in a society,” which is a self-aware and silly nod to memes that have proliferated in the past years. However, this quote was only in the trailer. In the final scene included in the film, Leto’s Joker instead reflects on the relationship between himself and Batman. Speaking of Batman’s legacy and Robin’s fate, Joker speaks these words to Ben Affleck’s hero.
The scene is sometimes too edgy, with Batman cursing and promising to kill Joker eventually. However, justthe effect of seeing these two fated foes together on screen in these incarnations makes each word they say seem more compelling.Joker understands the impact of what he does and that drives him. This figure is sworn to his madness and finds joy in pain and destruction, reveling in the hurt it causes to others.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a reimagining of the 2017 film, where Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince assemble a team of metahumans, including Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg, to defend Earth from a looming cosmic threat, following Superman’s previous sacrifice. Released in 2021, it continues the DC Extended Universe narrative.
8"In The Darkness, There Are No Rules."
Cameron Monaghan - Gotham Season 3
One of the less-known iterations of The Joker, Cameron Monaghan played a unique interpretation of the character through two twin brothers, Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska. The characters' evolution into mad clown killers throughout the series was slow and effective. Some have even called this performance themost underrated live-action Joker. With these words, the show taps into the edge of The Joker and successfully ties in with the spirit of theGothamseries.
Like much ofGotham, however, the character iteration had a hard time leaning into and away from the comics it adapted.Despite his clear appearance as the Joker, the character was never referred to by that name in the series.A minor foil to Jim Gordon and the Gotham PD, this Joker did not have the gravitas or scale, partially due to the show’s execution, to match up with the heavyweights on the big screen.
Gotham
As a new recruit in Captain Sarah Essen’s Gotham City Police Department, Detective James Gordon is paired with Harvey Bullock to solve one of Gotham’s most high-profile cases ever: the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. During his investigation, Gordon meets the Waynes' son, Bruce, now in the care of his butler Alfred, which further compels Gordon to catch the killer.
7"A Joke A Day Keeps The Gloom Away!"
Cesar Romero - Batman (1966)
While the 1940s introduced The Joker as a mad, vicious murderer with similarities to what the antagonist would later become, the 1960s interpreted the villain much differently. Certainly still a destructive force for chaos,the Cesar Romero iteration was a toned-down, less violent version.While still mischievous and preoccupied with jokes, this version was less terrifying and more predictable. His worldview is communicated clearly with this simple quote.
Causing pain and destruction are less critical to the first live-action Joker than causing mischief and giving himself a reason to laugh. Indeed,there is an upsetting madness that often results in the infliction of pain, but the campy series does not focus on that edge.Instead, this Joker avoids gloom rather than wallowing in it, bringing his mood up through comic pranks and silly toys.
Batman: The Movie
The Caped Crusader’s first theatrical debut arrived in 1966 as Batman: The Movie, directed by Leslie H. Martinson. Connected to the television series Batman: The Movie follows Batman and Robin as they face off with the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman as they hold the world hostage with a powerful weapon that can dehydrate human beings instantly.
6"The Worst Part Of Having A Mental Illness Is People Expect You To Behave As If You Don’t."
Joaquin Phoenix - Joker (2019)
Todd Phillips’Jokerapproached the character of The Joker in a way that no other film ever had. Taking the character’s darkness seriously, Phillips' film told the story of a man on the fringes of society that was not taken care of.The way a cold world can push a person to the side can result in destruction and madness.Jokerexamines this throughout, but this line essentially informs the outlook and idea of the film.
This line reflects on something very real. Mental illness is a real issue for many people, and yet the social order does everything it can to ignore it.Debilitating conditions that keep a person from working can render that person seen as less than human.To persist in society, Arthur Fleck is forced to assimilate, no matter how outside his ability this might be. This line is as sad as it is effective.
Joker
Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker is an origin story for Batman’s most iconic villain. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a down-on-his-luck clown who is trying to become a successful stand-up comedian. When things don’t go according to plan, and Arthur feels Gotham is oppressing him and others with mental illness, Arthur sparks a violent revolution within the city.
5"One Day You’re On Top, The Next You’re A Clown."
Barry Keoghan - The Batman (2022)
The Batmanis a film that focuses on taking a grounded eye to comic book heroes and villains, but with a greater focus on style than the Christopher Nolan films.Barry Keoghan is introduced as The Joker in a single scene. Seeing the actor’s rise since his appearance strongly hints that there will be more of this iconic villain in Matt Reeves' followup films. Understanding the character’s journey will help to explain lines like this.
This Joker has been on a journey of terror and villainy in the past and is now locked away. Knowing this character’s path,he gives himself over to it, recognizing that he will always be a clown, no matter where life or madness takes him.This line establishes an anger and a bitterness to the world that this Joker inhabits, and it’s made clear that it will surely receive more detail in future film installments.
The Batman
The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne as he investigates a sadistic serial killer targeting key political figures in Gotham. As he delves deeper, he is confronted by the city’s hidden corruption and questions surrounding his own family’s legacy.
4"Have You Ever Danced With The Devil In The Pale Moonlight?"
With these words, the foe of the film is tied in with Batman’s origin story. While the way this is done may feel a little contrived by modern superhero cinema standards,the focus of these words is to link Batman’s childhood to his present effectively.With that said, there is an exceptional edge to them as well that must be considered, and Jack Nicholson’s delivery helps to communicate that.
A Joker who says this exact silly phrase every time he kills someone feels pulled straight from the comic books.This is a Joker who loves to kill and finds joy and pageantry in it.By repeating these words, he creates a fun game for himself in this maniacal act that is both upsetting and chilling. With gleeful delivery and pomp, Nicholson draws the line between 1960s silliness and the genuine terror of a believable murderer.
Tim Burton Could Barely Understand Jack Nicholson On Batman
Director Tim Burton reveals that he sometimes had difficulty understanding Jack Nicholson’s “abstract” speech patterns on the set of 1989’s Batman.
Jared Leto’s Joker was introduced in the firstSuicide Squadtrailer, where he spoke these words. Upsetting and strange,this version of the villain, covered in tattoos and jewelry, was a significant departure from the previous Heath Ledger iteration, and necessarily so. While not everything about the adaptation worked, this line, spoken to Harleen Quinzel before she became Harley Quinn, is chilling and disturbing.
Like all Jokers before and after, this Jared Leto version revels in pain. He loves to cause it and finds glee and joy in spreading this destruction on others.The way he speaks this line with a little giggle makes it clear that this is a joyful act and that it is not done with hatred.The Joker simply enjoys the inflicting of pain and suffering on others, and he intends to enjoy this moment very, very much.
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad team is made up of villains, captured and kept in a secret prison, and offered reduced sentences if they participate in dangerous missions. In the tradition of continuity within DCEU films, the event comes in the wake of Superman’s death and the seclusion of Batman after the events that occurred in Batman V Superman. Agency head Amanda Waller, played by award-winning actress Viola Davis, is the one striking deals with the inmates of Belle Reve Prison. Heading “Task Force X” is Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye’s Killer Croc, and Adam Beach’s Slipknot. Karen Fukuhara’s Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains. Jared Leto (Joker) and Ben Affleck (Batman) have smaller roles in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, as does Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress.
2"Why So Serious?"
The Joker inThe Dark Knightembodies a special kind of madness.He revels in chaos, and will never miss an opportunity to stir the pot and force people to feel uncomfortable.It is not always clear why he does all of these things, and that helps add to his unpredictable and upsetting nature. Every moment the villain spends onscreen holds disastrous possibilities, and never is that madness more evident than in this line.
Telling a changing story about how he got his scars, itself likely a lie he made up on the spot, Joker ends with this iconic line. The disturbing part here is what he confronts inside of this: through pain, violence, and destruction he asks,“Why so serious?“In reality, these things are serious. However, Joker’s madness sets him apart from human nature and allows him to see things differently, finding joy in pain, destruction, and chaos.
Heath Ledger Improvised Joker Myth: What Really Happened In The Dark Knight
It is widely believed that Heath Ledger improvised part of the iconic hospital explosion scene from The Dark Knight, but here’s what really happened.
