6 Ways Tim Burton's Batman Changed Everything
5. Nicholson Killed As The Joker
Jack Nicholson and the Joker were virtually inseparable in people's minds for years after Batman. Caesar Romero preceded him admirably and Heath Ledger followed him stunningly, yet the clothing, makeup, and performance makes Nicholson's the fullest live action depiction of Joker to date. It has everything from the comics: the manic laugh, the acid-bathed origin, and an overall look hindered only by Nicholson's stocky physique.
The kind of work required of makeup artist Nick Dudman was a rare challenge at the time. Nicholson's permanent grin is still impressive, yet the scene in which Joker gives his ultimatum to the mob stands out. For one shot of Joker rubbing the flesh coloured makeup from his brow to reveal the white skin beneath, Dudman and Nicholson juggled two layers of wet, partially airbrushed makeup with silicon oil in between.
The movie's makeup was nominated for several awards and the effect is one which might be CGI if done today. At the time, Nicholson's performance so impressed audiences and critics that his return to the role was desired and rumoured all the way up to 1999 in a sequel to Batman & Robin.
Whatever hindsight reveals about it today, the fact remains that Nicholson's Joker set the standard by which all others have been measured since.