With a new adaptation of Batman set to premiere in 2022, debates over where this new direction for the Caped Crusader will go, have already begun to erupt. The newest adaptation will be directed by Cloverfield's Matt Reeves and will star Robert Pattinson as the lead character, Bruce Wayne. He will be joined by Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, and many others.
The new Batman film will include villains like The Riddler and Penguin, but many believe that the Joker may also make an appearance in the film. Barry Keoghan, who is said to portray Stanley Merkel in The Batman, has been rumored to pick up the mantle of the Joker. Others think that Joaquin Phoenix may reprise his role as the infamous villain, but nothing has been confirmed. Amidst the discussion for the notorious character, Gustaf Skarsgård deserves to have his name thrown into the mix.
Skarsgård's acting career spans well over half of his life, as he made his film debut at the age of 9. Over the course of his career, Skarsgård has fulfilled many English and Swedish roles that can be cited as proof of his ability to play the Joker. The best example of what Skarsgård could offer the role is his performance as Floki in History's historical drama series, Vikings. Over Vikings' 7 years, Skarsgård played Floki, the eccentric boatbuilder who places his life in the hands of the Norse Gods. One of these Gods is Loki, who is a known trickster and deceiver. While Floki is not Loki, the boatbuilder is not above using an ulterior motive in order to achieve a goal he feels has been purposed by the Gods.
In Skarsgård's 7 years as Floki, the character rapidly became a fan favorite. Skarsgård's acting was a highlight for many fans of Vikings, including the laugh he crafted for his character. During a panel for Vikings at San Diego Comic Con, Skarsgård discussed his motives behind the creation of the laugh and demonstrated it for those in attendance. Floki's remarkable giggle is hard to go unnoticed, especially in the intense battle sequences the series depicts. Batman fans know that mastering the essence of the Joker is not always an easy feat. Heath Ledger's performance of the Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight has become a blueprint for what people now envision for the role. The persona Skarsgård could bring to the role would certainly differ from Ledger's, but Skarsgård is capable of keeping many of the infamous pieces of the character intact.
Despite Jared Leto's performance as the Joker in Suicide Squad, fans have begun to search for the next person to take over the role. Keoghan may be the latest actor to become subjected to rumors over his involvement with the role of the Joker, but he is certainly not the only one. Fans have advocated for actors like Andrew Garfield and Kristen Stewart to take on the role. Garfield responded to these hopes, insisting that he didn't think he could tackle the role because of what previous actors managed to accomplish.
Each performance of the Joker from actors like Ledger, Phoenix, Leto, and Jack Nicholson managed to be unique despite the many adaptations of the character. The originality of these performances means there is nothing that can be taken away from them. It also means that anyone else who looks to tackle the role in the future needs to bring a similar difference in style in order to continue to explore the depths of the character. Whether Joker is evil purely for his own gain or because of personal trauma differs from each adaptation of the character, which is what makes each new actor's version different than the last. What Skarsgård could bring the role is just as powerful as some of the role's predecessors, and it has the potential to be just as memorable.
The deviousness of the Joker is seen in Skarsgård's performance as Floki. One of Vikings' storylines suggested Floki was actively moving against his long-term friend, Ragnar Lothbrok to support King Horik. This ended up being a ploy that resulted in the death of Horik, but the plausibility of Floki betraying Ragnar despite their history was made possible by Skarsgård's impeccable performance. In watching this storyline play out in particular, it's impossible not to notice the resemblances to the Joker.
Should Skarsgård receive the opportunity to play the Joker, he would not be the first member of the Skarsgård family to portray a sinister clown. Skarsgård's younger brother, Bill played Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 2017 and 2019 adaptations of Stephen King's It. Within that role, Bill demonstrated his own ability to horrify audiences of all ages. The reception of that performance would catapult Bill into an entirely new realm of fame. Other notable members of the Skarsgård family include their father Stellan and older brother Alexander, who will lead Robert Eggers' The Northman later this year.
The impressive resume of the Skarsgård family is a testament to the versatility that an actor like Gustaf could bring to a role like the Joker. Skarsgård has the ability to not only revive the essence actors like Ledger, Phoenix, and Nicholson have brought to the role but bring his own unique style to it as well. While Gustaf may not be the most widely known of the Skarsgård family, his talent speaks for itself. If given the opportunity to play the Joker, Gustaf would surely prove to a larger audience what fans of Vikings have already known: he is just as talented as the rest of his family.
Vikings is now streaming Peacock and Hulu.