If there’s one thing that could save Suicide Squad: KtJL from its downward spiral, it’s the inclusion of the Joker, who has turned out to be the saving grace for plenty of mediocre DC media in the past as well. It goes without saying that the character means a lot to many people, but where the fans find it quick and easy to criticize newer takes on the Clown Prince of Crime, it’s the actors playing the part who are on the receiving end of unnecessary hate.
Which is why we had to ask JP Karliak, who plays the iconic villain in the upcoming Rocksteady DLC, about how it felt to take on such a risky role and try to fill Mark Hamill’s legendary shoes.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s Joker Is Aware of the Tough Responsibility That Comes With the Character
During our interview with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League‘s Joker actor, JP Karliak, we asked him whether he was aware of the massive responsibility on his shoulders as he has to take over the role from the one and only Mark Hamill, who is considered to be the ultimate Clown Prince of Crime by the majority of the Batman fanbase.
Hamill played the Joker in Rocksteady’s Arkham video game series, and even though Karliak will be portraying an Elseworlds version of the iconic villain, the pressure still remains as heavy as ever.
“Getting to play the Joker is like walking through a field of landmines and every one of those landmines is an individual, very beloved version of the Joker,” stated Karliak while referring to previous iterations of the character like Heath Ledger’s in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
JP Karliak knows that Hamill’s portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime is “arguably the most beloved,” and the Arkhamverse definitely cemented his legacy, which makes it even more of a challenge for the SS Joker. “So yeah, that was really tricky,” said Karliak, who is “thrilled” to not be portraying Hamill’s specific character and “playing this other version” instead, referring to the Elseworlds concept in Rocksteady’s KtJL.
Karliak’s Joker Will Also Be Making Comparisons With the Fans
“I am aware that there are obviously going to be comparisons made, but what I love about this version of the Joker is that he is making those comparisons,” as Karliak’s character himself in the game has to somehow live up to the original Arkhamverse Clown Prince of Crime.
The Elseworlds villain will actually be “taking down some notes” from the Hamill version, which is why Karliak thinks him and the character “sort of mirror each other in that sense.”
Karliak’s character will be arriving in Rocksteady’s video game on March 28, 2024.
Are you looking forward to Karliak’s portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime? Let us know in the comments!
