BATMAN (1989) Casting The Joker [HD] Behind the Scenes, Jack Nicholson

PLOT: The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.
CAST: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger
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#DC #Joker #Batman

[@keefriff99]

I don’t think people realize how rare it is to see Jack interviewed on-camera like this. He’s refused to do TV talk shows for his entire career (only print interviews), so this footage of him talking to an interviewer is EXTREMELY special.

[@darkman2807]

He is fantastic. He talks about this role in these short clips more intelligently, precisely and in depth than some/most actors do (about their roles) today.

[@hansbier5198]

Not Realy...because it is for a Movie-Selling-Product. That kind of work is in the contract....

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

Jack made north of $75 million dollars off of Batman 1989. I'm sure he is more than happy to talk about the greatest gold mine he ever found in his life.

[@alextaylor8776]

@@SuperSnakePlissken what’s 75$ million in 1980’s money adjusted for inflation today?

[@Euripides_Panz]

​@@SuperSnakePlissken75? I'd read 60, perhaps plus more on the back end, still. 75 would put him well above his contemporary peers, at close to 200. That was a pretty strong deal.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

Nothing makes me happier than knowing that Jack Nicholson loved being The Joker , as much as we loved watching him as The Joker.

[@crimsonfox_yeah]

It makes me happier when the actors who played a character was enjoying playing the character they played

[@alanhaggarty9880]

As much as I loved Heath Ledger’s performance, there’s still a twinkle in Jack Nicholson’s Joker. He brought a perfect balance of the psychopathic maniac and the cheeky, silly, controversial uncle at the family picnic.

[@bulletsunderpressure]

controversial uncle? I think that might be me. LOL

[@StudMacher96]

Heath Ledgers joker just didn’t seem joyful enough in my eyes

[@alpaphoenix3252]

@@StudMacher96Heath version of the joker was meant to be more darker side of him

[@latemreggadable]

Heath ledger as the joker mega sucked . Emo Joker .

[@StudMacher96]

@@alpaphoenix3252 true I still liked him as an idea I just enjoyed Nicholson’s more as a icon

[@seanyonthemic]

Love Jack’s enthusiasm for the role and the film.

[@nsasupporter7557]

As much as I loved Jack as the Joker, I would’ve liked to have seen Robin Williams in the role

[@makaveli201071]

@@nsasupporter7557 i love robin Williams but not as jojer

[@makaveli201071]

Joker

[@nsasupporter7557]

@@makaveli201071 disagreed. I have to say that Robin Williams is the most amazing actor I’ve had the pleasure of watching. He can play ANY role to a Tee. I’ve never seen a bad Robin Williams movie so I stand by what I said, I would’ve liked to have seen him as Joker it would’ve been interesting. By the way, you could’ve just edited your original comment since you misspelled Joker, you didn’t have to make a whole new comment... just saying

[@nsasupporter7557]

@Sean Austin who do you like better, Robert De Niro or Jack Nicholson?

[@mikeadams7904]

Never rub another man's rhubarb!

[@rygar218]

"Let's Brighten Up For the Kids!" That so funny, he even gave a Joker type mannerism!

[@joshuablack8221]

Correction, that was a Jack mannerism 💯

[@rygar218]

@@joshuablack8221 Honestly, lol Yeah pretty much.

[@onlynameMrBlank]

"The more you scare 'em, the more they like it!" Love the way he says that.

[@juliobrian4757]

And he was right! Joker scared the crap out of me...and yet, there was no villain I'd rather see!

[@Nothing-qq4hd]

He's right all the best villains were super scary

[@finnickrinzler8907]

I love that Jack genuinely loved the role and the film. That is very rare in Hollywood.

[@magallanesagustin4952]

You can tell Nicholson was having a blast with the role. He was having so much fun.

[@luisd.pacheco1074]

JACK NICHOLSON, is still my favorite JOKER

[@GLOBEREVIEWS]

“I’m only laughing on the outside, my smile is only skin deep, if you could see on the inside, I’m crying, you might join me for a weep!”

[@supereliptic]

Never rub another man’s rhubarb! 😂

[@johnreeveswilliamson7228]

Mines too. 👍

[@brianhumphrey6791]

Mine also!!

[@willow4452]

"a hateful occurrence" never has the joker been described more perfectly! Not a man or a person just a force.

[@TroyMckeon-x6c]

Heath Ledger was the best joker ever enough said he is a legend rip heath Ledger 😢 I miss seeing you in movies

[@trekkiedave7910]

Jack just nailed this role! - I love how his Joker could be charming - still sees himself as a ladies man - he can be both goofy and playful with the gimmicks and pranks at one moment - but turn on you on a dime - become very violent with a sadistic sense of humour - I personally find that ‘unpredictability’ the most scary and unsettling!! Heath was smart and scary - but never goofy - none of the pranks or gimmicks - you would never see him as anything but sinister and evil - anything but a threat Phoenix’s Joker didn’t even understand the concept of how jokes or humour worked I’ve always loved Jack’s version and to me it’s the most comic book accurate interpretation of the ‘Bronze Age’ Joker I read in the Batman comics I grew up with in the 70’s and 80’s He’s my favourite silver screen Joker The actor himself is a God - there will never be another Jack Nicholson!!!

[@scottmoore1614]

I think that a lot of people now realize, thirty years later, that Nicholson’s Joker is the definitive Joker. Ledger and Phoenix did variations on that character…but they weren’t “the Joker”. As you pointed out, they were generally too dark without the humor necessary with that character. Nicholson IS the Joker because he’s one of the very few actors who could pull off such a tight rope act of a performance. It was cosmic timing and the greatest inspired casting for a film ever.

[@Aivottaja]

There's yet to be a live action version of the Joker that's truly loyal to the source material. Ledger emphasized Joker's creepiness too much and he wasn't a guy who fell into a vat of chemicals.He had no fun. Nicholson was closer to it, but he was still a fifty-something, pudgy guy who had a couple of prank gadgets on him. He was more like an unhinged gangster. Leto is just the definition of "trying too hard". Phienix's Joker is is not bad - as long as you don't think of him as The Joker. It's more like Taxi Driver, but instead it has a clown. The Joker should be funny, charming, flamboyant, but also an unpredictable murderer. Like Mark Hamill's voice work come to life.

[@cgh7337]

Jack Nicholson is highly overrated.

[@leo051082]

Heath’s was goofy when was a nurse trying to blow up the building ……

[@ronhicks5818]

You're right, poor Bob lol

[@mrdeckard1076]

When they say he made a LOT of money playing the Joker, they are talking upwards of $60 million ... more than what Robert Downey Jr received for playing Tony Stark in the Avenger films. Crazy stuff

[@bigblueassbaby9074]

Adjusted for inflation?

[@UnbelievableOdyssey]

"Though Nicholson was paid $6 million up front for his role as the villainous Joker in the 1989 "Batman" film, he reportedly secured a lucrative deal that included box-office earnings and merchandise sales from its sequels - that he didn't even appear in." So he's probably even still making money from it now.

[@UnbelievableOdyssey]

@@bigblueassbaby9074 screenrant.com/jack-nicholson-joker-batman-contract-90-million-how/tldr/6 That says he earned an estimated $90 million which is $194 million when adjusted for inflation

[@bigblueassbaby9074]

@@UnbelievableOdyssey Jack’s lawyer is a fucking genius.

[@turricanedtc3764]

@@bigblueassbaby9074 - The man himself is allegedly extremely shrewd when dealing with studios (and also remarkably supportive and kind to other actors, but that's an aside) - from his perspective he was taking a risk because in 1989 most people's awareness of Batman came from the '60s TV series, and this movie was essentially pushed hard as WB's blockbuster for that year - it was never going to flop, but it wasn't outside the realm of possibility that it could be edited into a campy mess (a la Schumacher), which could significantly harm Nicholson's career. By engineering that deal, Nicholson effectively told the studio two things; firstly that he was all-in and willing to stake his reputation on the movie; so they'd better hold up their end of the bargain and take it as seriously as he did - and secondly that he was going to secure himself a sizeable payday whatever happened, and every cent of that payday was coming out of their pockets, so if they wanted to make maximum bank, they'd better make him look as good as he made them look.

[@michaelvaladez3012]

Just hearing Jack Nicholson's voice is flawless I mean he's got the character still in him! He was born to be the Joker.

[@Jack_Klash]

They nailed it with Jack as The Joker.. but we also gotta give props to Hugo Blick as the young Jack Napier.. he killed it aswell.. would have been cool to see bim as a younger Joker..

[@Fleur_de_lis2k]

Every time I think of this film, Hugo's image and the line "Have you ever danced..." creeps in.

[@Sp4wn82]

@@Fleur_de_lis2k yeah that grin when he points his gun at young Bruce is just so scary.

[@nemesisprime2993]

Jack is still my favorite joker of all time.

[@joshuablack8221]

Jack was and is the best Joker after Cesar Romero whom not only created the laugh that everyone else mimics for Joker, but the personality when he’s enjoying causing chaos 💯

[@leafyishereisdumbnameakath4259]

yeah

[@hendrikjansen7130]

Cesar is easily the worst Joker

[@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853]

@@hendrikjansen7130J a r e d L e t o

[@hendrikjansen7130]

@@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853 no

[@jacobbrinck1365]

Heath Ledger.

[@Sparkledash1]

Jack Nicholson, was laying the groundwork, for what the Joker character will be from this point forward. After the 1989 movie, people like Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger and recently Joaquin Phoenix pretty much took what was pretty much blueprint of Jacks version of the Joker and put their own spin of it. And now, the Joker is one of the most recognizable villains in comics and movies.

[@CFarleySNL2490]

Jack made a fortune from this movie

[@roguebritgravy1]

Thank you Jack Nicholson for Jack Napier/ The Joker

[@elihumitchell3586]

He did an amazing job 30 years later he’s still the best actor to play the joker

[@ervinjasar]

To me Tim Burton's vision qnd Jack Nicholson' portrayal of the '89 joker was the best representation of golden era joker

[@alc4117]

Man I wish jacks joker would appear alongside keatons Batman in the flash movie

[@Lalaxbo]

I loved Batman so much as a kid and i love what Tim Burton has done for Batman and Batman Returns 🙂. The Joker became my favorite Batman villain because of this movie and Batman TAS and Jack Nicholson nailed The Joker and he had an iconic laugh 🙂🃏

[@vincentmartinez8241]

Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando are two of the best actors to ever grace a movie screen! It's not even a debate. It's a fact!

[@nsasupporter7557]

@Vincent Martinez what about Robert De Niro?

[@vincentmartinez8241]

@@nsasupporter7557 Robert Deniro would be in my top 10 yes absolutely

[@nsasupporter7557]

@@vincentmartinez8241 here are my favorite actors... Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Denzal Washington, Daniel Day Lewis

[@vincentmartinez8241]

@@nsasupporter7557 that's a great list!

[@JuanLopez-co2ex]

Lo

[@mariof.3711]

Jack Nicholson el mejor Guason clásico y con la visión tan única de Tim Burton es simplemente genial .

[@killianmul9313]

He is the best joker

[@aguythatworkstoomuch4624]

The best actor to play the role in my opinion

[@andymurday4538]

Jack Nicholson is the definitive Joker. He was born to play the Joker.

[@DDuMas]

Every other Joker was either an interpretation of The Joker, but I have to believe that Jack Nicholson's Joker probably had at least some impact on the comic book character. It was that good imo. From what I know about The Joker, he's highly intelligent, highly unpredictable, lives for chaos and has very little fear. Interpreting him as an actor has to be very difficult. When you struggle with it, you get Jared Leto's try hard performance.

[@dupesonlyanddrugstores7421]

Yeah, I really need to show Jack Nicholson some respect because he did an amazing job in this role. I was just a little kid and I still love this movie. Kim Basinger was amazing so beautiful.

[@Adamdow95]

Jack Nicholson was born to play Joker. Nobody else could've played Joker better than Jack in that time.

[@TheDoomsdayzoner]

Jack Nicholson was the Ultimate Classic Joker. He managed to capture the essence of the villain, being both funny AND scarry as nobs. Just like Michael Keaton managed to capture the essense of Bruce Wayne and Batman. Also Burton Suit is the best looking batsuit in history. Fight me.

[@dtyodeller]

Nothing to fight you about because I agree with you.

[@XavierGhosh-m2j]

Jack's Joker scared the shit out of me as a kid.

[@amorpretty3163]

Jack & Heath are the best Joker’s 💜💚💜

[@cellocat-sm8lx]

Real 💜💚💜💚💜

[@hephaestus6365]

"And deservedly so" Amen. Ledger was AMAZING - truly worthy of all the praise and awards - but Jack is Jack.

[@jacobdehaan4114]

Jack Nicholson is the best live action Joker in my opinion

[@anthonymallari9893]

Another legend Jack Nicholson

[@mythicalashley9542]

Jack will forever be my favourite joker, I really appreciated how dark the movie was and jacks right the more he scared me the more I liked the movie

[@nelsonfountain4297]

Nicholson and Heath Ledger brought the Joker to life amazing performances by both of them.

[@JohnBloggs-m8l]

It was never going to be anyone else, his face was already the joker with that rictus grin and he knew how bad they wanted him and made sure he got a slice of the box office cos he predicted it was going to make alot of money cos of him and he was right.

[@MariselaHernandez-nn4mu]

Thanks for posting this and Jack was right at 3:50. In my opinion, he is the best Joker ever!

[@brandonmeyer6999]

Jack Nicholson practically invented the Joker because of how great he was

[@jimmieperry3418]

Jack Nicholson is The Greatest and The VERY BEST Actor of All Time. No question about it man. There's The GREAT Jack Nicholson. And then, there's everybody else. END OF DISCUSSION!!!!!! CLASS DISMISSED!!!!!!

[@EetsBack]

Jack Nicholson was THE JOKER. Period.

[@briankuhlman9791]

In the grocery store scene, in the movie the shopping cart wheel would "lock up" when Nicholson would do his "crazy joker dance" and cause Nicholson to veer out of focus of the camera. After several takes Nicholson lost it! Finally succumbing to his rage tim Burton had to have the shopping cart thrown out and a prop shopping cart brought in so jack could do his dance .

[@joeavery6587]

Michael keaton still best batman

[@Oferdertv]

Legendary Joker👑👌🃏🤡 RESPECT!🙏🔥

[@dank7256]

Best Batman movie ever!

[@TheRealJasonJayV]

Casting Nicholson was the right move, & not just because he's a fan of the character & the comics which shows btw, but he really helped legitamized this classic banger of a movie!

[@VBHB83]

Nicholson, Ledger, Phoenix...

[@elvisowens7137]

No one could ever do it better than Jack.. He is the Joker...

[@martinoheat1712]

"The more they scare them, the more they like it" -love the way he says that.

[@alien7875]

Jack Nicholson will always be the Original Joker for me 💯

[@addzw7195]

Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moon light

[@ratpackmatinee]

MICHAEL KEATON IS THE BEST BATMAN! I was LUCKY ENOUGH to do an interview with MICHAEL KEATON'S MOVEMENT DOUBLE CARL NEWMAN, over this past year whom actual wore the 1989 SUIT PERFORMING stunts and is also featured in some of the MOST ICONIC scenes/shots from the 1989 film. He worked closely with TIM BURTON as well as JACK NICHOLSON while on set, and speaks about his experience in GREAT DETAIL. Feel free to check it out! I'd GREATLY APPRECIATE IT 🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

[@annshenton119]

I was a joker's goon in the film and spent two hours one on one chatting with Jack alone before a scene where he directed me. He was a great man kind and interested in my stories. Scott moy uk

[@FrenchJae]

You lying.

[@annshenton119]

@@FrenchJae I aint lying I was a stunt driver and that was my car they painted up purple , youre just jealous!

[@jalenjohnson1662]

Which Goon were you? Are you visible in any scenes?

[@YouTube-tied]

Jack Nicholson is the actor's actor and cool fucking guy. Cherish him. His take here on the movie proves he is a class act. We're gonna miss him and Clint and Warren and Al and Gene, etc.,

[@nsasupporter7557]

@KZbin-tied Don’t forget Sean Connery, he was just as much of a legendary icon as those others you mentioned.

[@johnlawerence5675]

He was perfect! I just don't understand why he didn't get an oscar nomination 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@CK-dd7eq]

My favourite actor. He could play anyone or anything 👌🏻

[@jjclasicas]

The whole movie is a fuckin´ piece of dark art.

[@FancyDevil]

I’ve never seen this footage. It’s awesome! I love jack!!

[@jiwbink]

I REM A CLIP OF NICHOLSON TALKIN BOUT DIVITO ASKIN HIM ABOUT PENGUIN... NICHOLSON SAID GET THEM FOR THE BIGGEST CHECK YOU CAN.. LOL D.D. DID TOO!

[@joecates3371]

I love Jack Nicholson

[@yeotiongwee]

Jack nicholson joker is the best ❤

[@salamaraif1648]

This was a strong role for him

[@foamyone101]

Di Caprio is morphing into Jack

[@humblegamer93]

Jack Nicholson pave the way for all Jokers that we see today he is the goat

[@niftyspock]

Jack is my favorite joker

[@TurkeyDart]

All time greatest joker man. Loved Jack in this

[@drakerydenFalls]

I wanna see him return as Joker in a Batman Beyond Movie!

[@ralphdelso793]

Jack Nicholson is the G.O.A.T.

[@jacknicholson5863]

Thanks for your love and support. I really do appreciate 💙💙💙

[@mattwilson3244]

Yes ,Jacks Joker IS seminal ,Romero was fun ; Nicholson took it ,like He said ,to a Performance level ,Everyone After ; Has to Frighten Us !

[@rogergreen9861]

Let's all take a moment to praise William Dozier for establishing the precedent that iconic actors playing Batman villains is a recipe for instant audience appeal.

[@atilanoiiiamores4742]

I remember this being the first movie I saw in the theatres, I was 5 back in '89

[@jhjhjhjhjhjhify]

I feel if Nicholson had come to this film closer off The Shining he would have put in a lot more menace into his Joker. Don't get me wrong, he's very good in the film, and I prefer the Joker to be depicted in this sort of clownishly sinister way (y'know, killing people with laughing gas and electric hand buzzers etc.) but I get the sense Nicholson gets kinda lost in the silly aspects of the Joker a bit too much. Particularly towards the end when story-wise he should be slipping into tormented Joker madness, not just dancing around and having fun. Perhaps that's more the movie's fault tbf.

[@ColorsBright]

It always blows my mind how Michael Keaton didn't play the Joker since Burton and Keaton worked together for Beetlejuice. If you look at Beetlejuice he kinda would be like a Joker type character. Amazing how Burton did a 180 and saw Keaton as Batman.. Amazing job with that one.

[@mrt445]

The best Joker by far.

[@bradg1436]

Jack set the bar that all others were measured by.

[@neilberry1552]

Jack Nicholson is the Joker. Ledger completely overated because he died

[@shirubionicle]

Heath Ledger is unbeatable as the Joker. That subtle yet terrifying menace he had. Also, he was written a lot better than nicholsons joker.

[@neilberry1552]

@@shirubionicle 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@shirubionicle]

@@neilberry1552 🤡

[@youtuber5669]

it was one of the special features on the second disc

[@someoneontheinternet3090]

This is the movie that introduced me to Jack Nicholson. So to me he is Joker first and Jack second.

[@michaelluisalbaladejo6319]

Originally, Tim Burton's first choice for The Joker was Brad Dourif but the Studio and Jon Peters wanted Jack from the get go. Robin Williams really wanted to play the character and WB used him to bait Jack to take the role.

[@cassiusabodeely2070]

Also Tim Burton’s second choice for the Role of The Joker was Tim Curry. David Bowie and Willem Dafoe were also considered for The Role of The Joker By Tim Burton

[@richardbrown9035]

The best joker ever:-))

[@donnyringo7862]

Best joker

[@spikezilla54]

Best joker. That's the damn deal

[@jamesdouglas768]

He's the perfect Joker!

[@samelloit602]

Jack your the man

[@derekstaroba]

Jack Nicholson!!¡!! Aha haha!

[@jamiezoschke4212]

"You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

[@DaveyMulholland]

No better Joker than Nicholson.

[@wtbwrites1806]

I feel like after playing in the shining. He was perfect for the joker

[@FelipeSilva-pj8vl]

The only crime of Tim Burton's series is death of Joker, so dearest Mr. Jack Nicholson couldn't appear in sequences. 😢🖤💜💚❤🙉

[@RegularJ.Studios]

I hate how they used Robin Williams one of my favorite actors as a pawn to get Jack Nicolson as the Joker. Other than that I love this Joker. And especially Jack Nicholson's performance too. Definitely one of my favorite Joker and one of the Joker's of all time.....

[@jonathangems]

I heard the Joker was offered to Robin Williams but he turned it down.

[@landonchurch7768]

I would love to see jack play joker again

[@brianshaker1885]

I know Robin Williams is a big what if as the Joker. And he's amazing. I just also know if Robin had had it, and we found out Jack was approached and never took it. It would have been a WAY bigger what if. Just because yes, he was perfect.

[@MrFredstt]

Jack was great in this

[@amberlopez7477]

Heard in the end. Jack Nicholson made 50 million from that film.

[@MrKevlar83]

I wish they were on honest with how they landed him. Truth is Jack said no at first so they approached Robin Williams who said yes, Nicholson's agent convinced him to take the role and he finally said yes. So they dumped Williams, which is why Williams refused to work with Warner Bros or Tim Burton for a long time.

[@lj5190]

Behind the scenes politics don't play well for a "making of..." feature.

[@MrKevlar83]

@@lj5190 true