• News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles and Long Reads
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on FlickeringMyth.com
    • Write for Flickering Myth

Flickering Myth

Film & TV News, Reviews and Features

  • Movies
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Long Reads
  • Trending

Willem Dafoe reveals that he had early talks to play The Joker in Batman ’89

February 8, 2018 by Jordan Jones

Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film is regarded as one of the best comic book films ever made. While Christopher Nolan reached staggering heights with his Dark Knight Trilogy, plenty feel that the Gothic world that Burton created is far superior. Burton’s film still looks good today, and truly does feel like a comic-book brought to the screen.

However, aesthetics weren’t the only thing elevating the film to iconic status; Jack Nicholson’s Joker was unanimously praised at the time of the film’s release. Even in a post-Ledger world, many fans still prefer ole’ Jack as the Clown Prince of Crime. However, there were other actors considered too. One such actor was Willem Dafoe, and talking to THR, he briefly touched on that very topic of The Joker (via Cinema Blend):

“[Screenwriter Sam] Hamm said something about how physi­cally I would be perfect for the part, but they never offered it to me.”

Okay, so nothing profound, but it’s still cool to get a little more information about a near 30 year old film. Also, he is physically perfect for the part, and still isn’t too old to play the role by any means.

…You can find Jordan on Twitter, and Facebook.

Originally published February 8, 2018. Updated December 19, 2019.

Filed Under: Jordan Jones, Movies, News Tagged With: Batman, DC, Jack Nicholson, Tim Burton, Willem Dafoe

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

6 Private Investigator Movies That Deserve More Love

Great Movies Guaranteed To Creep You Out

The Best Renny Harlin Movies of the 21st Century

10 Alien Franchise Rip-Offs That Are Worth A Watch

8 Must-See 90s Neo-Noir Movies You Might Have Missed

MTV Generation-Era Comedies That Need New Sequels

Psycho at 65: The Story Behind Alfred Hitchcock’s Masterful Horror

7 Bizarre 80s Horror Movies You Might Have Missed

Back to the Future at 40: The Story Behind the Pop Culture Touchstone

10 Essential Comedy Movies of 1996

FEATURED POSTS:

Movie Review – The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025)

10 Essential Revenge Thrillers You May Have Missed

Top Gun at 40: The Story Behind the Iconic Tom Cruise Action Blockbuster

Movie Review – Driver’s Ed (2026)

Movie Review – Magic Hour (2026)

Movie Review – Obsession (2025)

10 Essential Thrillers from 2016

Movie Review – Is God Is (2026)

10 Essential On-the-Run Movies You Need to See

12 Essential Job Title Movies

FLICKERING MYTH FILMS

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Great Cyberpunk Movies You Need To See

The Most Terrifying Movie Psychopaths of the 1990s

10 Essential Action Movies from 2005

7 Masked Killer Movies You May Have Missed

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles and Long Reads
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on FlickeringMyth.com
    • Write for Flickering Myth

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Movies
  • Features and Long Reads
  • Trending
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About Flickering Myth
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth