The Original Inspiration For The Joker Is Headed Back To Cinemas In A New Adaptation

[Brendon Connelly]

While Jerry Robinson had the original notions that became The Joker, the look of the character was created by Bill Finger, and inspired by Paul Leni's very striking silent picture The Man Who Laughs. In the film, the great Conrad Veidt plays an English nobleman cursed to forever have a horrendous rictus grin. That's a picture of Veidt in the role on the left.

The grin makes things rather hard for this character, to say the least, though I suppose he was very lucky there wasn't some kind of kinky fascist in an animal costume on his case. Talk about a bummer.

The film was based upon a novel by Victor Hugo, and now that book is being adapted again.

According to The Wrap, director Jean-Pierre Ameris will start shooting this Monday, in Prague. Ameris' last film was Beautiful Lies, a slightly spiky and quietly self aware rom-com that I included on my 101 Films From 2011 to Not Miss list.

Amongst the cast of The Man are Gerard Depardieu and Emannuelle Seigner, with the Canadian Marc-Andre Grondin in the title role.

Grondin is in Goon, currently playing in UK cinemas, as a gone-to-seed hockey player. Not for one second of that movie did I think "Man Who Grins".

While I'm quite the fan of Leni's film, I've never read Hugo's novel. Judging from the plot summary that has been wikid, there were significant differences made in the adaptation - including the ending. I'm curious to see which way Ameris goes.

But, if I'm being honest, I'm more curious to see the look they've designed for the title character.

[Blackfist]

Now I'll have to watch "The man who Laughs" again then bitch about how it's a bad idea but I don't need to, the half arsed title is a good indication on how half arsed the film might be.

"The Man"? that's just as silly of calling The Thing prequel "The Thing"


But seriously, I'd like to see a newer version of the film, especially if it's closer to the book

[Mike H.]

Conrad Veidt's face displays more layers and personality in that single photo than half the modern A-list actors in Hollywood are capable of portraying in two hours with the advantages of color and sound.

[toodoor]

Conrad Veidt's face displays more layers and personality in that single photo than half the modern A-list actors in Hollywood are capable of portraying in two hours with the advantages of color and sound.

Jesus, someone's having a grumpy old man day!