Before Heath Ledger was chosen as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Steve Carell was ready to fight Oscar winner Sean Penn for the role. As per Vulture, a rumor began that Carell was running for the part of The Joker. Although it wasn’t confirmed, Carell joked about it in 2005 during an interview with Total Film (via Digital Spy).
I would love to play the role. If it’s either Sean Penn or me in line, then I want a showdown to prove which one of us is the better actor. We’d just have to oil up and wrestle for it.
Steve Carell claimed to be ready to “oil up and wrestle” two-time Academy Award winner Sean Penn if it came down to the two of them fighting for the part. However, reports later mentioned that P aul Bettany, Mark Hamill, and Lachy Hulme were possible contenders, with the role ultimately going to Heath Ledger.
The table contains basic information on The Dark Knight:
The Office Paid Homage to the Character That Steve Carell Strived For
In 2008, The Dark Knight became a huge hit, and Heath Ledger’s Joker quickly turned into one of the most iconic villains in movie history. The performance left such a mark on pop culture that even sitcoms like The Office could not resist referencing it. Yep, the same show that made Steve Carell a household name.
For those who don’t remember, the season 5 episode Employee Transfer, which aired the same year, featured a funny Halloween cold open. Dwight, Kevin, and Creed all showed up to work dressed as the Joker. Each one tried to copy Ledger’s makeup and voice in their own ridiculous way, making it one of the funniest moments in the show.
The scene wasn’t a reference to Carell’s earlier interest in the Joker role, but it showed how big the character had become. By then, the Joker had moved beyond just being a comic book villain; he was a cultural event, all thanks to Heath Ledger’s timeless performance, which even won him an Oscar, posthumously.
Our Opinion on Steve Carell as The Joker, Had He Landed the Role
Meanwhile, if we think about Steve Carell as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, it might initially sound hilarious with too many “that’s what she said” jokes, instead of the iconic “why so serious?” phrase. But upon giving it a deeper thought, we believe it would have completely changed how audiences saw Carell, had he joined the film.
After all, Steve Carell was best known for his comedy roles, especially as Michael Scott in The Office. Playing the Joker would have allowed him to show his darker, more dramatic side years before movies like Beautiful Boy or even Foxcatcher, where he caught everyone off guard with his unreasonably creepy performance as a millionaire murderer.
So, if Carell had been chosen, The Dark Knight would likely have been a very different movie. While Heath Ledger’s performance, which became the heart of the film, turned Joker terrifying, unpredictable, and unforgettable, Steve Carell’s performance might have made the role a bit lighter or quirkier, which would have shifted the tone of the entire film. Still, it’s not impossible to imagine him in the part.
Share your thoughts on whether Steve Carell would have nailed or failed as The Joker.
The Dark Knight trilogy is currently streaming in the US on HBO Max.
The Office is currently available in the US on Peacock.
