Summary
- LaKeith Stanfield’s diverse acting chops make him the ideal choice to play a new version of DC’s iconic character, the Joker.
- Stanfield is eager to play the role, and his ability to switch emotions seamlessly could bring a vibrant, deep presence to the screen.
- With so many famous actors having played the Joker throughout history, Stanfield’s potential casting represents a bold artistic gamble that could revitalize the DC Universe.
LaKeith Stanfield Opens Up About His Dream Superhero Movie Role That Might Be a Perfect Fit for the DCU Batman: The Brave and the BoldAfter years of divisive mainline DC Extended Universe movies, A Brave New World is being closely watched by the new DCU management, including co-head James Gunn. New faces could play iconic roles, and Stanfield has a solid acting resume. Not only that, but he dropped some pretty major hints that he’d like to play a famous DC character at some point.
It’s not new for actors to use word of mouth and grassroots campaigns to secure superhero roles. It took Ryan Reynolds years to get dead Pool The movies are coming out, and the hard work is paying off. Reynolds’ career is rejuvenated, and audiences are treated to a paradigm-shifting film. Based on what we know about the DCU so far, Batman: The Brave and the Bold has been shared, so the picture is starting to take shape. Especially for Stanfield, who took aim at one of DC’s biggest stars, his performance could be described as perfect.
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LaKeith Stanfield Wants to Play the Joker, and He’d Be Great
Stanfield’s esoteric acting style is perfect for the iconic villain
Stanfield first hinted at wanting to play the role in a 2018 interview with Deadline, saying: “I just feel like there’s a lot that’s still untouched in terms of how performances are presented.” In 2020, he reiterated this in an article for Collider, expressing his desire to work with the Safdie brothers. During that time, he appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show, where he elaborated on his enthusiasm for the project and showed “proof of concept” test photos in which he wore his unique clown makeup.
Stanfield has shown a wealth of talent in his past performances, making him a natural fit for the big screen alongside his fellow Joker actors. The actor is known for his esoteric style and demeanor, most notably for his acclaimed roles in the TV series Atlanta, But he can also be seen in Uncut Gems and Judas and the Black Messiahfor which he was nominated for an Academy Award. Stanfield can shift intensely from one emotion to the next, which fits with the Joker’s many chaotic traits.
The DCU needs a bold new Joker
A few variations on a theme mean it’s time for a change
The Joker is one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture, but it is always at risk of being overused. Over the years, there have been several Jokers, a trend that has continued to this day. Joker: The Mad Duo and Batman – Part 2In addition to Joaquin Phoenix and Barry Keoghan, there’s also Jack Nicholson’s memorable performance, Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance, and Jared Leto’s even more controversial take on the Joker. Each actor brings something unique and memorable to the role, but they’re all similar takes on the same template and could use some fresh air.
With a ton of superhero movies already released and several more in the works, and the DCU still in its early stages, now is the perfect time to try out different thinking that will give audiences something fresh and dynamic while still staying true to the style of the source novels. Batman Casting Stanfield as the Joker is a bold artistic gamble that’s not without risk, but it could give the Joker a fresh take that would appeal to audiences, and the DCU could prove that there’s more to this version of the Joker than just the same old stuff.
There’s no doubt that Stanfield is a highly capable and skilled actor who brings a unique set of skills to any role he plays. The arrival of the DCU represents a new opportunity to revitalize superhero movies by making interesting creative decisions that challenge established norms. Batman: The Brave and the Bold As production ramps up, the perfect villain has appeared right under people’s noses.
Director Andy Muschietti
StudiosDC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery Channel, Warner Bros.
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