9 Incredible Images Of Actors Becoming The Joker

8. Michael Emerson (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns)

This image just goes to show that there are all sorts of ways to capture a brilliant Joker performance. Michael Emerson (best remembered for playing Benjamin Linus on hit show Lost) was cast to play the iconic character for 2012's animated film The Dark Knight Returns, opposite Peter Weller as Batman, adapted from Frank Miller's 1986 comic book. For the first time in the history of the DC Animated Universe canon, a performance wouldn't be captured in person in a studio, but rather over Skype, with legendary Emmy-winning dialogue director Andrea Romano on hand to ensure everything went smoothly. It's a testament to the state of technology today that such vibrant performances can be captured anywhere in the world regardless of an actor's schedule or location. Though by its animated nature not a conventional Joker transformation complete with wild hair and make-up, Emerson still turned in a fine vocal performance while making the best of modern tech.