• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Barry Keoghan got Joker role in The Batman after submitting tape that's been online for years

Home> Entertainment

Updated 09:33 27 Feb 2024 GMTPublished 14:30 3 Oct 2022 GMT+1

Barry Keoghan got Joker role in The Batman after submitting tape that's been online for years

It's giving A Clockwork Orange...

Daisy Phillipson

Daisy Phillipson

A tape that landed Barry Keoghan the role of the Joker in The Batman has been online for years, and yet hardly anybody has seen it. If you're one of those people, you can check it out below:

When director Matt Reeves started casting for the DC superhero movie, it was clear that anyone who took on the Clown Prince of Crime had some mighty big boots to fill.

Advert

Joaquin Phoenix did an amazing job in his performance of Joker in 2019.

But the game-changer truly arrived in 2008 with Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning rendition of the character - since then there's been a lot to live up to.

In 2020, Keoghan found out he was set to carry the torch, although his character is listed as 'Unseen Arkham Prisoner' and is only shown in the penultimate scene of The Batman.

A deleted scene that was released shortly after the film's release confirms the 'prisoner' is in fact the Joker, and no doubt we'll be seeing more of him in the sequel.

Barry Keoghan as the Joker.
Warner Bros.

Advert

Though his appearance was short, it left audiences terrified and subsequently impressed by Keoghan's iteration of the famed comic book villain.

Which is what makes the following fact all the more surprising - apparently he auditioned for a completely different character.

In a new interview with GQ, the actor said: "I wanted to be Riddler." This certainly explains the bowler hat and green braces.

As explained by the publication: "A clip of Keoghan’s audition for The Batman has existed publicly on the internet for three years, but barely anyone has seen it."

In the footage, Keoghan makes his entrance to Saint-Saëns’ 'Danse Macabre' as he emerges from a lift before pacing through a hotel corridor wearing his outfit while holding a cane.

Advert

At one point, he walks into a room before coming back out with a bloody handprint across his face as he smiles grimly into the camera.

Is anyone else getting A Clockwork Orange vibes?
Vimeo/Barry Keoghan

Although this is Keoghan's unique take on the Riddler, from the thick eyeliner and the classical music to the way he holds his cane, there's no denying the similarities to A Clockwork Orange.

Apparently he had made the video after hearing they were casting for the film, but for months he heard nothing back and his hopes were dashed when he found out that the role had been filled.

Then, out of nowhere, he got a call from his agent saying they'd seen the tape. He was told: "The Batman wants you to play the Joker - but you cannot tell anyone."

Advert

You can only imagine how hard it must have been keeping that bombshell a secret, but he kept schtum and his video paid off - just not in the way he thought it would.

Featured Image Credit: Vimeo/Barry Keoghan/Warner Bros.

Topics: Batman, DC Comics, Joker, TV and Film, Barry Keoghan

Daisy Phillipson
Daisy Phillipson

Daisy graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, writing a thesis on the move from print to digital publishing. Continuing this theme, she has written for a range of online publications including Digital Spy and Little White Lies, with a particular passion for TV and film. Contact her on [email protected]

X

@DaisyWebb77

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Saltburn production designer finally admits what Barry Keoghan was actually slurping in bathtub scene
  • Barry Keoghan spent 7 years in foster care in 13 different homes before achieving Oscar nomination
  • Barry Keoghan's shocking Saltburn grave scene was not scripted

Choose your content:

10 mins ago
11 mins ago
an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • 10 mins ago

    Kim Woodburn's family hit back at 'hurtful' comments Aggie made after former co-star's death

    The How Clean Is Your House? co-stars had a huge bust up in 2008, according to Aggie MacKenzie

    Entertainment
  • 11 mins ago

    Cillian Murphy’s 28 Years Later ‘return’ explained as Rotten Tomatoes score revealed for sequel

    28 Years Later releases today in cinemas

    Entertainment
  • an hour ago

    Emily Willis court case could fall apart if adult star's mum doesn't meet 30 day deadline

    The adult star's mum filed a suit against the rehab centre

    Entertainment
  • 3 hours ago

    Lizzo admits to using Ozempic amid extreme weight loss transformation after previously denying claims

    Lizzo says she doesn't see the medication as 'cheating'

    Entertainment