--- description: Jared Leto won't be reprising his role in the Todd Phillips-directed Joker movie. Here are ten actors who could play the Batman villain. title: 10 Actors Who Could Star in the Upcoming Joker Movie image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # There's a New Joker Movie Coming. Here's Who Should Play Batman's Nemesis  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Aug 23, 2017 9:24 PM CUT  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Aug 23, 2017 9:24 PM CUT The Joker may be getting his own origin story — without [Jared Leto](http://time.com/4420595/suicide-squad-will-smith-jared-leto/ "undefined") in the lead role. _The_ _Hangover_ director [Todd Phillips](http://time.com/4450418/war-dogs-todd-phillips-miles-teller-interview/ "undefined") is working on a movie about how the Joker became Gotham’s most terrifying criminal, according to [_Variety_](http://variety.com/2017/film/news/joker-origin-film-todd-phillips-1202536083/?utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fsource=exacttarget&utm%5Fcampaign=newsalert&utm%5Fcontent=67633&utm%5Fterm=1850491 "undefined")_._ The film will be a gritty crime drama set in the 1980s, and Martin Scorsese is in talks to have a to-be-determined role in the production. Though Jared Leto will likely reprise his role as the Joker in [_Suicide Squad_ _2_](http://time.com/4427272/a-brief-history-of-things-modern-neanderthal-jared-leto-has-done-to-get-in-character/ "undefined"), he will not be donning the purple suit for this new standalone movie. [Heath Ledger](http://time.com/4782337/heath-ledger-documentary/ "undefined"), who perfectly embodied the crazed criminal — even winning a posthumous Oscar for _The Dark Knight —_ will be a hard act to follow. But we have some ideas as to who could play a young Joker, just turning onto villainy. Here are our dream casting choices for the role.  Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Louis Bloom in Nightcrawler. Chuck Zlotnick–Open Road. Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler ### Jake Gyllenhaal Gyllenhaal has shown that he can play creepy, most recently as a seemingly winsome but in fact sadistic TV personality in _Okja_ and a criminally ambitious journalist in _Nightcrawler_. Gyllenhaal could excel in the role once occupied by his _Brokeback Mountain_ co-star. Plus, [his sister](http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/528648-maggie%5Fgyllenhaal%5Fopens%5Fup%5Fabout%5Fher%5Frole%5Fin%5Fthe%5Fdark%5Fknight "undefined") has some experience with the Batman universe and could offer some tips.  Ex Machina. Universal Studios. Oscar Isaac in Ex Machina ### Oscar Isaac Though he’s now best known for his role as fighter pilot Poe in _Star Wars_, Isaac has serious acting chops. He’s currently playing antihero Hamlet at New York City’s Public Theater (to rave reviews), and he mastered the charming creep in _Ex Machina_. The Joker would be a cinch.  Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street Mary Cybulski—Paramount Pictures. ### Leonardo DiCaprio If Scorsese does indeed produce the film, DiCaprio would be an obvious choice for the part. A Scorsese favorite, DiCaprio is adept at oozing charm even when he’s playing a morally corrupt man (see: _The_ _Wolf of Wall Street_, _Catch Me If You Can_). But playing cunningly evil could be a new challenge for the accomplished actor.  James Franco in "Spider-Man." CHEVILLOT P./GAMMA US—8425/GAMMA ### James Franco Franco has played smarmy, and he could truly excel in the role of a villain who brings both foreboding and levity to every conversation. Audiences have already watched Franco go from good guy to bad guy in the Sam Raimi _Spider-Man_ movies. With a little more acting experience under his belt, could he do the same with an even more iconic villain?  Riz Ahmed in The Night Of Barry Wetcher—HBO. ### Riz Ahmed Ahmed played a suspect under investigation in _The Night Of_ and could certainly tackle playing a real one in the Joker movie. The young actor has range: His scattered Bodhi in _Rogue One_ suggests that he might be able to play someone both sympathetic and on the precipice of insanity.  Christian Bale on the set of American Psycho. Eric Robert—Sygma/Getty Images ### Christian Bale After spending years playing a gruff-voiced Batman, it might be interesting to see Bale try his hand at the Dark Knight’s arch-nemesis. The role would mark a return to his _American Psycho_ days, playing a maniacal killer.  Helen Sloan—Courtesy of HBO ### Iwan Rheon Some actors just excel at playing bad guys. Iwan Rheon, best known for his role as the smirking psychopath Ramsay Bolton on _Game of Thrones_, could carry over that sinister smile to a Joker movie. The origin story will likely require a younger actor, and Rheon, at 32, could fit the bill.  Mahershala Ali in Luke Cage Netflix ### Mahershala Ali Before he won an Oscar for his sensitive paternal character in _Moonlight_, Ali flexed his thespian muscles playing a villain in another superhero series: _Luke Cage_. That villain, Cottonmouth, concentrated more on his payout than causing chaos. But the Joker would be a challenge worthy of an actor who has proven he can play both contemplative and brash.  Ronney Mara in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Columbia Pictures. ### Rooney Mara The producers ought to consider mixing things up by casting a woman in the role of the Joker. Rooney Mara proved that she can break bad in _Girl With the Dragon Tattoo_. Her brooding mien would bring an air of mystery to the part.  Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover". Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ### Zach Galifianakis He may not be the most obvious choice to play a menacing character. But the comedian broke out thanks to Todd Phillips’ _Hangover_ movies, and he recently played a comedic version of the Joker in the animated _Lego Batman_ movie. He could be the perfect offbeat pick. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4912377/joker-origin-story-casting/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4912377/joker-origin-story-casting/"},"headline":"There's a New Joker Movie Coming. 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