The ‘Joker’ Trailer Invites Plenty Of Comparisons Between Joaquin Phoenix And Heath Ledger

Warner Bros.

The same day that Warner Bros. Pictures released the first poster for director Todd Phillips’s highly anticipated film Joker, the studio previewed the first footage from the film at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. This morning, said footage has shown up in the new DC Comics adaptation’s first teaser trailer, which sees actor Joaquin Phoenix slowly-but-surely morphing into the iconic Batman villain. And to the surprise of absolutely no one who’s seen it, Phoenix’s look and performance are being compared to Heath Ledger.

Ledger, who died in 2008, won a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed The Dark Knight. Since then, Jared Leto and Mark Hamill have portrayed the so-called “Clown Prince of Crime” in numerous films and cartoons, but with all of the obvious nods to filmmaker Martin Scorsese’s films (like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy), Phoenix’s iteration shares more in common with Ledger’s more extreme, violent interpretation of the character.

Plus, they’re both long-haired psychopaths who apply their own makeup (as opposed to surviving chemical spills), so it’s no surprise that their performances are being compared. Most were positive:

— Jeff D: Endgame (@JeffDLowe) April 3, 2019

Also, this shot from #JokerMovie is an homage to Heath Ledger in #10ThingsIHateAboutYou. You can't convince me otherwise. pic.twitter.com/Osx9Q1a4Ai

— Keith Chow (@the_real_chow) April 3, 2019

heath ledger and joaquin phoenix trying to outact each other as joker pic.twitter.com/Egl06eCwMo

— raven (@cilliansjawline) April 3, 2019

Heath Ledger would be PROUD. pic.twitter.com/30bwFhKF80

— DC Comics ⚡ #Shazam (@UniversoDCnauta) April 3, 2019

Others, however, quickly resorted to navel-gazing arguments about which one was better (or worse), despite the fact that Joker won’t be in theaters until October. This prompted many to downplay the comparisons altogether:

— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) April 3, 2019

Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix were friends. So, how about we stop with the extreme comparisons of their Joker performances and propping up one to shit on the other It's disrespectful and tasteless.

Heath would be proud of what his peer has accomplished. pic.twitter.com/eEC36URDfw

— Autistic Wrestling Fan (@TBroomey) April 3, 2019

Heath Ledger was a great actor – even without Joker. Today they released the first trailer of the new Joker movie and Heath Ledger is trending. Tomorrow is his birthday btw. He became only 28 and died when he was peaking. One of the greatest. Rest in peace

— sj (@sun2jay) April 3, 2019

Heath Ledger was an iconic Joker but people have got to stop comparing every actor that takes on The Joker's role to Heath's interpretation of him. There is so many different faces and personalities of The Joker and seeing different actors portray the character is fascinating.

— Emily (@OhMyEmz) April 3, 2019

I really, really hope we don't fall into the "Joker is gonna suck because Heath Ledger isn't here" realm. I know it's already happening, but we're talking about an iconic character that has been interpreted many times. That's like saying only Paul Robeson could play Othello.

— Randy (@pamsson) April 3, 2019

Jack Nicholson's Joker is the Joker.

Heath Ledger's Joker is the Joker.

Cesar Romero's Joker is the Joker.

Jared Leto's Joker is the Joker.

Mark Hamill's Joker is the Joker.

Joaquin Phoenix's Joker will be the Joker. There's room for more than one.

Stop being stupid.#Joker pic.twitter.com/kukHCbZjb4

— Bernard Oliver (@boliver36) April 3, 2019