Whether the Skywalker Saga or the Batman: Arkham video game series, Mark Hamill’s presence on the screen has become a signature marker of greatness. As for Joker, the actor has not only brought an inimitable rendition of the arch-villain straight out of the comic book pages but has successfully immortalized the Clown Prince through his iconic voicing of the DC comic character. But, recent revelations from Hamill might stage an unprecedented halt on the franchise’s future plans of progressing their animated universe arc.
Also read: 10 Creepiest Joker Moments In the DCAU the Live Action Movies Can Never Show Us
Mark Hamill Hangs His Spur as DCAU’s Joker
Much like Kevin Conroy’s representation of Batman over the past three decades, the legacy left behind by the Star Wars actor, Mark Hamill’s representation of Joker will be one that is held as the epitome of all comic book adaptations. But sadly, with time, all things come to pass, and it looks like with the great Kevin Conroy now gone, Hamill too is keen to bid adieu to his iconic role as a sign of respect to his old friend.
“They would call and say, ‘They want you to do the Joker,’ and my only question was, ‘Is Kevin Batman?’ If they said yes, I would say, ‘I’m in.’ We were like partners. We were like Laurel and Hardy. Without Kevin there, there doesn’t seem to be a Batman for me.”
However, this is not the first time he has spoken about retiring from the role. In 2011, the actor announced Batman: Arkham City would be his last foray as the arch-villain and the sole reason he would return is if DC adapted Batman: The Killing Joke. 5 years later, Mark Hamill reprised his role for the said DCAU adaptation which became an iconic rendition in popular culture. Soon after, with renewed interest, Hamill had tweeted (much to fans’ delight) that Killing Joke wasn’t a one-off thing and he would return as Joker in future projects.
This time, the subject isn’t of creativity or interest. With Conroy gone, the legacy of the iconic duo ends here.
Mark Hamill’s Iconic Adaptation of the Clown Prince
Mark Hamill first stepped into the shoes of his on-screen DCAU villain in Batman: The Animated Series (1992) which also marked the first time Kevin Conroy would voice the titular superhero. Alongside each other, the two icons created history over the course of the next few decades, appearing on shows like New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Also read: Mark Hamill Allegedly Returning To Voice Joker From Batman: The Animated Series in New DC Project
The actor’s voice as the maniacal nemesis of Batman then became so iconic that the actor was quickly snatched up by the Scooby gang to voice their iteration of the Joker in the first season of Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? Hamill’s final performance as the Joker was heard in Lego DC Super-Villains which release in 2018, with rumors circulating in 2022 of a potential reprisal in Multiversus.
Source: Empire
