Actors Who Could Replace Jared Leto as the Joker

Jason Robbins
Updated September 6, 2024 52.4K views 47 items
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37.1K votes
4.6K voters
Voting Rules
Vote up the actors you'd most like to see play the Joker in future DC movies.

After his performance as the Joker in Suicide Squad was met with tepid reviews, Jared Leto declared he felt "tricked" into the role. So how about some idle speculation as to who could play the Joker in future Batman movies and DC cinematic universe films? After all, Leto won't be appearing in the 2021 The Suicide Squad film, and it seems the DCEU has been doing its best to separate itself from his portrayal of The Joker. 

Should the role be recast, who could take on the mantle of the Clown Prince of Crime? Several factors need to be taken into consideration, as it must be assumed that Suicide Squad, and Leto's take on the character, will remain canon within the franchises, even in the case of a semi-reboot. So, the Joker must be played as a "hip" take on the classic Batman villain. After all, it has to be believable that Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and he share a fiery romance. And, of course, the new actor must have the range to play dangerously unhinged, capable of going from calm to manic in a heartbeat. Some say Matthew McConaughey would be a great Joker, what with his charisma and ability to transform into different characters for his roles.

Here, without further ado, is a list of fantasy Joker actors. Who will be the next Joker? Hard to say - but vote up the actors you can most clearly see taking up the torch and saving the character for future DC films. Then check back to see if your favorites topped our list! 

Ranked by
  • Willem Dafoe
    1
    Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
    1,411 votes
    • Credits (Film): Finding Nemo, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Platoon, Spider-Man 3
    • Platoon
      1Platoon
      247 Votes
    • Mississippi Burning
      2Mississippi Burning
      171 Votes
    • The Boondock Saints
      3The Boondock Saints
      222 Votes
  • Bill Skarsgård
    2
    Vällingby, Sweden
    199 votes

    He played another villainous clown type in the It films. 

    • Credits (Film): Anna Karenina, Arn - The Kingdom at Road's End, Simon and the Oaks, Simple Simon, The Crown Jewels
  • Cameron Monaghan
    3
    Santa Monica, California, USA
    557 votes

    He played Jerome Valeska, who seemed inspired by The Joker on Gotham.

    • Credits (Film): Click, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, The Giver, Prom, Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters
  • Iwan Rheon
    4
    Carmarthen, Wales, UK
    1,287 votes
    • Credits (Film): Wild Bill, Wasteland, Game of Thrones, Resistance, Back of Beyond
  • Joaquin Phoenix
    5
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
    959 votes

    He won an Oscar for playing Arthur Fleck in Joker.

    • Credits (Film): Gladiator, Signs, Hotel Rwanda, Walk the Line, Brother Bear
    • Gladiator
      1Gladiator
      308 Votes
    • Walk the Line
      2Walk the Line
      304 Votes
    • Joker
      3Joker
      332 Votes
  • Johnny Depp
    6
    Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
    220 votes
    • Credits (Film): A Nightmare on Elm Street, Platoon, Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Alice in Wonderland
    • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
      1Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
      2,797 Votes
    • Edward Scissorhands
      2Edward Scissorhands
      2,550 Votes
    • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
      3Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
      2,298 Votes