Mark Hamill Shares His Fear of Auditioning for the Joker Post-Star Wars: “Sometimes Anxiety Can Take Control”

Mark Hamill Reflects on His Iconic Joker Audition

Mark Hamill recently shared his thoughts on auditioning for the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, a role that has become a hallmark of his career. Despite his extensive experience as an actor, including his famous portrayal of Luke Skywalker, Hamill initially doubted his chances of landing this high-profile villain role.

The Competitive Landscape of Voicing the Joker

Numerous talented actors have delivered memorable interpretations of the Joker over the years, including Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton’s Batman, Heath Ledger’s Academy Award-winning performance in The Dark Knight, and Joaquin Phoenix’s acclaimed depiction in Joker. Yet, when it comes to the animated representations, many fans immediately think of Mark Hamill as the definitive voice of the character.

Insights from the Politickin Podcast

During his appearance on the Politickin podcast, Hamill opened up about the psyche behind his audition experience. He was initially apprehensive, believing that his association with the heroic Luke Skywalker could hinder his chances of being cast as the villain. This mindset allowed him to approach the audition with a sense of freedom, ultimately leading to a memorable performance.

So I said… I’d love to audition, but I wanted to play a

villain that never been done before, ClayFace, Two Face, whatever.

But they said, you have an audition for the Joker.

I said, oh, it’s a little too high profile. Jack

Nicholson was so great and Cesar Romero… Anyway the only earlier they cast Michael Keaton as Batman, and all the

Dan boys lost their minds. Oh my god, he’s mister Mom.

He can’t be Batman, blah blah blah without seeing him

play the part. Ever, so what I’m saying in that atmosphere,

I said, if you think they lost their minds over mister Mom playing Batman, how are they gonna feel about

Luke Skywalker playing the Joker. There’s no way they can

cast me. So normally you go in and if you

want the part a lot, Sometimes your anxiety can get

the better of you. They can sense a neediness that

makes them uncomfortable. You’re off your game because you’re nerves or whatever. Here, I thought, well, since there’s no way

I can get it… I’m gonna make them sorry they can’t hire me, and

I just let it rip and had the greatest time

in my life.

The Legacy of Hamill’s Joker

Hamill’s audition, characterized by this liberating mindset, became a turning point not only in his career but also in the portrayal of the Joker in animated media. His unique voice work and comedic timing have set a standard that many actors aspire to reach. As audiences continue to embrace the Clown Prince of Crime in various formats, Hamill’s interpretation remains a benchmark for excellence.

For more details on Hamill’s experience and insights, listen to the full podcast episode on iHeart.

Source: iHeart

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