A superhero I think he could've played

Interesting thought mercury4, considering the great success he had with Joker back in 1989...Who knows ? Maybe the right script just didn't come along, or maybe he didn't want to venture any further into the superhero / action genre, fearing that a possible commercial flop could tarnish his image as the phenomenal character actor...

Everyone raves about the late Mr. Ledger as the Joker, but they forget how great Jack Nicholson was in the role. He deserved at least an Oscar nomination. I loved the first Batman and I must say that the star of the movie was really Jack and he made the movie.

Yes, I fully agree, his portrayal of the Joker is far superior to all the others in the following installments, he definitely stole the show from Keaton and Basinger. And considering that the late Heath Ledger won an Oscar for his work - though probably due the sympathy factor - Nicholson couldn't have contented himself with just Golden Globe and Bafta nominations...

And considering that the late Heath Ledger won an Oscar for his work - though probably due the sympathy factor - Nicholson couldn't have contented himself with just Golden Globe and Bafta nominations...

I agree. There might've been other actors nominated that gave great performances. But they will never be remembered. People will only remember poor Ledger. I'm not saying he didn't do a great job as The Joker, but you're probably right about him winning due to sympathy.

I have to 100% disagree.

Is Nicholson a blast to watch in the og Batman? Yeah, and his natural charisma, charm and personality does become the highlight of the show, BUT to say the Ledger only won because he died doesn't do justice to the character that HE brought to life.

That Joker was scary as hell, funny, mysterious, and at the end of the picture you completely had all doubts wiped away that that character could be played by that actor.

Halfway through my first viewing I had trouble remembering what Heath Ledge looked like, the character on screen was so much bigger than life that any preconceived notion I had of the actor was wiped away completely.

I SAW the Joker. I heard his laugh, I could feel his energy.

Ledger delivered one HELL of a performance and it should have be rewarded had he lived, and it should be remembered for it's power.

When the book is written, and all is said and done, I have no doubt that Ledger's Joker will be one of the top villains on screen.

Have a look at the Wolf (1994), there's some Wolferine played by Nicholson!

Someone already beat me to it... but I was going to mention that when I saw The Wolf back in the 90s and was a big fan of X-Men comics and the cartoon series I remember thinking that Nicholson would have been a great Wolverine... but my #1 choice for that role was Mel Gibson!