Mark Hamill is among the most talented names in the acting industry. The actor started his career with The Bill Cosby Show in 1969, and later he played a recurring role in the popular show General Hospital and comedy series The Texas Wheelers. However, Mark Hamill is best known for his character of Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy. The character gave him massive worldwide recognition.
The actor had also given the voice of Joker in DC Comics project Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. Despite being a respected name in the industry, the actor was once sure that he would not be selected for voicing Joker in the series.
Also read- Mark Hamill Allegedly Returning To Voice Joker From ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ in New DC Project
Mark Hamill was sure he would be rejected as Joker for Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series was a superhero animated television series based on one of the most loved DC Comics superheroes Batman. The series was created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski and produced by Warner Bros. Animation.
In an interview with Movieweb, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill shared about being shocked when he was chosen for the voice of Joker in Batman projects. He confessed that he was initially convinced the production would never select him.
Hamill said,
“When I went in [for the Joker role], I thought, ‘You think they’re gonna hire Luke Skywalker to play the Joker? The fans will lose their minds!’ I was so sure that I couldn’t be cast. I was completely relaxed.”
The actor recalled,
“A lot of times there’s performance anxiety because you want the part, here I knew I couldn’t get the part, so, who cares? I drove out of the parking lot thinking, ‘That’s the best Joker they’ll ever hear, and it’s too bad they can’t cast me.’ And as soon as they did cast me, it reversed. I was like, ‘Oh no, I can’t do this!”
Mark Hamill voiced for the Batman: The Animated Series for 85 episodes, which aired between 1992-1995 on Fox Kids.
Mark Hamill was inspired by Batman star Michael Keaton
The actor shared that he was sure he would not be selected for the show, hence was a bit intimidated about being selected. The Last Jedi actor shared that he found inspiration and confidence from the actor, Michael Keaton. He shared that Michael Keaton was in talks to become the next Batman, which seemed an odd choice, at the time.
The actor shared,
“I had a confidence that really helped me because there was this big outcry that Michael Keaton was gonna play Batman. ‘Oh, he’s Mr. Mom, he’s a comedy actor.’ I mean, they hadn’t even seen him [in the role] and they didn’t realize how great he would become. But, there was great controversy.”
Keaton was liked for his role in and as Batman. The actor will return to the role for the upcoming The Flash film that is set to release on June 16, 2023.
Source-Deadline
