“I am Tommy Wiseau and let me introduce you to the new joker,” the American actor says and lets out a high-pitched scream in Nerdist’s new video. Wiseau auditions for the role of the most popular villain from the DC Comics universe: the Joker.
Wiseau, who is the creator of the 2003 film The Room, which is often touted as the “best worst movie ever made”, recreates some of the Joker’s iconic lines with his own touch and a thick accent. “Why so serious?” and “Let’s put a smile on that face” get mentions in his tape.
The best part of the video comes in his interaction with Batman, who is played by his co-star Greg Sestero from The Room. James Franco recently starred in the Wiseau’s biopic The Disaster Artist, for which Franco won a Golden Globe award for best actor.
The scar-faced villain was first captured on film in Leslie H Martinson’s 1966 film Batman: The Movie. Cesar Romero played the Joker, reprising his role from the American live-action TV show Batman (1960).
Celebrated actor Jack Nicholson was next in line to play the psychopathic prankster in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), who went on to steal the show from the titular hero played by Michael Keaton.
Jared Leto’s version in Suicide Squad (2016) is the latest Joker, which is often described by fans as being one of the most disappointing portrayals, despite Leto’s acting efforts.
The best Joker is undoubtedly Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan’s Batman: The Dark Knight (2008).
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!