Landing the role of the Joker would undoubtedly be an ‘I made it’ moment for any actor. But for Kevin Michael Richardson, stepping over the shoes of his idol, Mark Hamill, who arguably is the best Joker the DC Animated Universe has ever seen, made him hesitant.
While some actors resort to extreme measures, such as allegedly sending unsettling gifts like dead rats to their colleagues, in an effort to embody the Batman villain, Richardson channeled all the “frustration” and “anger” of replacing Hamill into his audition tape. This ultimately paid off, earning him the role.
Why Was Kevin Michael Richardson Upset Over Landing Role of Joker in The Batman?
Without a doubt, many actors dream to land the role of the Joker, and among those who have portrayed the character in the past, Mark Hamill unquestionably stands out. His portrayal in Batman: The Animated Series, which aired for 85 episodes on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1995, cemented the character as iconic. And thus as a die-hard fan of Hamill, Kevin Michael Richardson found himself noticeably disheartened when he eventually secured the role of the Joker in The Batman.
Kevin Michael Richardson took on the role of the Joker in The Batman, an animated series that ran from 2004 for five seasons and earned six Daytime Emmy Awards. In an interview with Geek Mom, he discussed his experiences and feelings upon securing the role. He said,
“At first I must say it was difficult, because Mark Hamill had played the character for a while before and Mark is just fantastic. I was rather of upset when they came to me and said they were going in a new direction, with completely different producers, a different version of the Batman, different version of the Joker. I was like, “Well, why? Why would you want me? Why not have Mark do it?” And they said, “No. This is how it’s going down. They want to go a different direction.””
While the role held significance for him, he was ready to give it up if it meant witnessing Mark Hamill portray the Joker once more. However, it appeared that the executives had different plans in mind. After the extensive tenure, they aimed to start fresh, thus selecting Richardson for the part.
He later admitted to putting the emotions he experienced, such as anger and frustration over Hamill not reprising the role, into his audition tape, ultimately securing it. He said,
“So, I was rather upset actually, because myself being a die-hard fan of the previous one (Batman: The Animated Series) that I told other people I was so upset that when I recorded the audition, I put all my anger and frustration into the voice and literally a day or two later, I got the call that I was playing the Joker and I was like, “Oh boy.””
Initially hesitant, it soon became one of his favorite roles to date, alongside Cleveland Jr. and Shredder. Fans adored his portrayal of the Joker as well and still do.
Why Mark Hamill’s Joker Is The Best
The Joker is one of the most popular characters, and not just only the most popular villain. As a character, he boasts more Oscar wins, with Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix. But of all the actors that have graced the screen in Joker’s disguise, Mark Hamill just might be the best.
Hamill’s Joker has become synonymous with the character for an entire generation of fans. His interpretation has left an unforgettable mark on pop culture, influencing subsequent portrayals of the Joker in various media.
Mark Hamill’s Joker stands out because of his unmistakable voice, which gives the character a haunting and unparalleled quality. The seamless blend of humor, menace, and madness, made this villain like no other.
Hamill’s interpretation is believed to be one of the closest to the character’s essence, bringing out all the complexities that live-action portrayals never could. Despite being a cartoon, it was one of the most carefully crafted characters ever, and with Hamill’s magic, it turned out to be simply the best.
The Batman is streaming on Max, and Batman: The Animated Series is available on Prime Video.
