I have always been a fan of Joaquin Phoenix. I see everything in which he's cast. Although I have to confess, it's always been because there's something about him that has seemed to have a dark side. Even when he's not necessarily playing the role of a villain, per say, there's something melancholy in his vibe--which for some reason, I enjoy.

I remember the first time I saw Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe. It's always been one of my very favorite movies. Obviously Crowe was fantastic as Maximus and who didn't love Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius. But it was Joaquin's Commodus that left me chilled and beckoned me back so many times.

There have been many good actors in the role of Batman's arch villian, the Joker. Each played the part in a unique way and I have adored seeing each and every manifestation--well, except for one maybe. However, at some point it did occur to me that Joaquin Phoenix would make an excellent choice.

Sometimes the "Joker" character is portrayed in a cartoon-ish manner, akin to the performance of Jack Nicholson. Other times we were treated to a more tragic version, such as the late Heath Ledger's portrayal, which was darker and felt more gritty, for sure. There's been many across the character tonal spectrum. However, when I saw this trailer today for Joker, I literally got chills.

Joker is rated R and already we can see this will be the darkest, most shudder-worthy incarnation yet. Just wait until you hear that signature laugh in the trailer. That doesn't mean there won't likely be heart-breaking details we've never had access to, at least in the movies, of the dark back story of the Joker. One can't help but feel some level of sympathy for the character, whose life followed such a strange, dark path. I can hardly wait for the movie when it comes out in theaters in October. Perfect timing, I feel.

This very well be the role Joaquin was born to play.

 

Feature photo sourced from The Onion's Twitter page.

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