Batman: The Killing Joke is setting itself apart from some of DC’s other animated films, with all signs pointing to it being an R-rated movie. Fan anticipation is high, though, since it not only tells what many consider to be the definitive Joker origin but also brings both Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill back to the DC animated universe.
Having previously retired from portraying the Joker, Hamill has been very clear about his joy at returning for The Killing Joke. It only seems fitting that he was able to reveal the first image from the movie, giving fans a look at both the Joker and Batman in the upcoming release.
Taking to Twitter, Hamill tweeted the same image three times with different Joker quotes from The Killing Joke accompanying each one. Words at the beginning of each tweet also combined to spell out “THE KILLING JOKE” in case fans weren’t aware of where the quotes were from. You can check out the quotes below, followed by the image that Hamill revealed:
“All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy…Just one bad day.”
“Remember there’s always madness… Madness is the emergency exit.”
“If I have to have a past, then I prefer it to be multiple choice.”
Hamill is the best-known actor to tackle the role of the Joker in DC animated products, voicing the character in Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Static Shock and the animated films Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. He also provided the voice of the Joker for Robot Chicken and a flashback scene in the WB’s live-action Birds of Prey series. His voicework also appeared in several video games, including the Arkham series by Rocksteady Games and an expansion pack for DC Universe Online.
As exciting as it is knowing that The Killing Joke is on its way, the release of this first image makes it all the more real. It’s easy to see the influence of previous animated incarnations of Batman and Joker in the still, which should make it all the more natural to hear Conroy and Hamill reprise those characters here. Hamill and Conroy have both commented about how excited they are to be working together again on such a definitive story, and their passion for the characters should be evident in the final product.
Batman and the Joker aren’t the only ones who will have familiar voices, either. Tara Strong is going to return as Barbara Gordon after having voiced her in Beware the Batman. Ray Wise, who voiced Perry White in Superman: Doomsday, will be the voice of Commissioner Gordon.
Next: Cancelled Killing Joke Animated Movie Concept Art
Batman: The Killing Joke is currently in production. It is slated for release later in 2016.
