Support NeoGAF

[Mr_Moogle]

Lithgow would be a great Joker. He could play just about any super villain role that doesn't require muscles really.

My dad was once told he looks like Lithgow and wasn't sure how to take it. I made sure to go on a long rant about why Lithgow is awesome and that he should take is as a compliment.

 

[DiscoJer]

Lithgow is fine as a cold, emotionless sociopath. I can see him really bringing the humor and charisma needed to play the Joker, though. I can't believe that Nicholson wasn't their first choice. Either way though, Burton chose wisely.

He was pretty good in Buckaroo Banzai as a somewhat buffoonish alien villain.

 

[Ecotic]

I always thought the young Jack in the flashback could have been the Joker. The actor wasn't a big name, but he had presence, menace, and a creepy smile.

 

[Dehnus]

Watching John Lithgow play Winston Churchill on The Crown has convinced me that, in his younger days, he could've played a terrifying Joker.

He still could, the man is a great actor. He can play great insane people .

 

[WordAssassin]

Uh, what?

He can do both. Blow Out to the over the top comedy of 30 Rock is not something your average actor can pull off.

Dude would've nailed Joker hard. I don't see how that's up for debate. He is legitimately a stunning actor.

I don't disagree with you and I love 30 Rock more than anything but his short cameo in one episode is not really something to point to to show he has comedic acting chops or range. He's just lost in a building for like two quick scenes.

 

[Discotheque]

I don't disagree with you and I love 30 Rock more than anything but his short cameo in one episode is not really something to point to to show he has comedic acting chops or range. He's just lost in a building for like two quick scenes.

3rd Rock from the Sun? Harry and the Hendersons too.

For a period of time people forgot he was so good at playing psycho nuts and thought he was just a goofy comedy actor man

 

[WordAssassin]

3rd Rock from the Sun? Harry and the Hendersons too.

For a period of time people forgot he was so good at playing psycho nuts and thought he was just a goofy comedy actor man

Both of those are much better examples, yes! I knew I had seen him in something comedic (3rd Rock from the Sun) but I'm high and sleepy and couldn't remember the name.

 

[Henchmen21]

Uh, what?

He can do both. Blow Out to the over the top comedy of 30 Rock is not something your average actor can pull off.

Dude would've nailed Joker hard. I don't see how that's up for debate. He is legitimately a stunning actor.

Lol I think you mean 3rd Rock

 

[Dalek]

Lithgow was a good villain in Cliffhanger

Yes but the real monster in that movie was Frank.

 

[autumnleaf]

Although tbh, that is purely because that horrible show 3rd Rock from the Sun.

What is this madness.

 

[DeathyBoy]

I don't disagree with you and I love 30 Rock more than anything but his short cameo in one episode is not really something to point to to show he has comedic acting chops or range. He's just lost in a building for like two quick scenes.

But he was so good.

- Meant 3rd Rock

 

[CrunchyB]

He was awesome in Dexter, switching from likable middle aged man to terrifying monster in a heartbeat.

 

[Chuckie]

What is this madness.

I hate that show with whole my heart. And I didn't like Lithgow in it either. His annoying voice and face. Sorry I am really not a fan.

The only thing more annoying in that show was French Stewart

 

[Shadowhelper]

Am I crazy or was Jack Nicholson kinda terrible as Joker? Just cartoony and over the top in not a funny or fun way, just kinda annoying.

 

[Sapiens]

This asshole was also first choice to play Fraser Crane.

 

[Oyashrio-Sama]

That would have been awesome! I love Nicholson's Joker but I would have loved to see Lithgow play him.

 

[dosh]

That would have been awesome! I love Nicholson's Joker but I would have loved to see Lithgow play him.

I was about to post another pic from Buckaroo Banzai, because:

I can see him as the Joker, yeah.

 

[TheRedSnifit]

Am I crazy or was Jack Nicholson kinda terrible as Joker? Just cartoony and over the top in not a funny or fun way, just kinda annoying.

You're crazy.

I don't think I'd put him near the top of my favorites Joker's list, but he's still great.

 

[>:)]

As good as Lithgow is, I just can't see it. I do see him as an amazing Burtonized Scarecrow though.

 

[The Elite]

That would have been awesome! I love Nicholson's Joker but I would have loved to see Lithgow play him.

This role is definitely what comes to mind when I think of a Lithgow Joker. He definitely could have pulled it off.

 

[The Elite]

I was about to post another pic from Buckaroo Banzai, because:

I can see him as the Joker, yeah.

Off topic, but that man being strangled is Jonathan Banks.

 

[Machine]

That would have been awesome! I love Nicholson's Joker but I would have loved to see Lithgow play him.

Laugh while you can monkey boy

 

[Sorcerer]

Good that he didn't get it. He might have done it for a paycheck and just slummed the role. If he had any enthusiasm in the first place that would be a different story.

 

[dosh]

Off topic, but that man being strangled is Jonathan Banks.

I did not know that.

 

[black_13]

I actually think he could've done a decent Joker! He has more of the long face the joker has in the comics and he certainly has the acting ability to play a psycho from his previous roles.

 

[Rockandrollclown]

Lithgow is an amazing and underrated actor. I am sure he would have been amazing as the Joker. I'm not sure he would have been better than Jack though.

 

[rudger]

Lithgow played an awesome psycho in Blow Out in 1981.

You beat me to it!

 

[Rumblebones]

He'd still make a pretty good Solomon Grundy.

Or, alternatively, Clayface.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Nicholson' Joker is iconic and helped raise the profile of that movie big time. Would love to have seen a Lithgow interpretation though. Tim Curry is another guy from that era who I think would have been great.

 

[VariantX]

Fuck, I would have loved to see that.

 

[Kumquat]

Lithgow is legit one of the best actors I have ever seen.

 

[SomewhatGroovy]

Always wanted to see him play

 

[Fancy Clown]

His work with De Palma strongly suggests he would have been great in the role.

Yes indeed

 

[cr0w]

He would definitely have been a more interesting choice for me personally than Nicholson was. My problem with Jack is no matter what he's playing, it's still just Jack Nicholson. I never saw Joker there, just Jack in facepaint.

 

[jfoul]

Would have been awesome to see him as the Joker, but totally understandable for him to not want the role. Superhero movies had a high chance of killing careers back then.

 

[Vilix]

John Lithgow is one of my favorite actors of all time. He can play any genre from slap stick to serious. Very few actors can do that, and do that well. He would've made a great Joker.

 

[UrokeJoe]

That would of been something to see.

 

[crackhead_bob]

Would have been better as Lex Luthor.

Think he could have been Hugo Strange? I think of the scene in Dexter when he confront Dexter and lets him in that his gig is up.

 

[itwasTuesday]

Lithgow can be dark as fuck. He was the best part of Dexter by far.

That season, yeah.