Although they are all essentially the same character, the depictions of the Joker are completely different. Between the way the character is written and the way each one is portrayed by their respective actors, they all have their own quirks and distinctions.
But as they all share the one character trait of being utterly chaotic, it’d make for the most explosive and bizarre versions of The Hunger Games ever. From the 2019 Joker’s inadvertent leadership to The Animated Series’ Joker’s schemes, they’d all bring some kind of skill into the arena, though some wouldn’t last two minutes.
The LEGO Batman Joker
Batman and Joker’s relationship has verged on flirtation many times in the past, but in The LEGO Batman, the hero and villain have never been closer. Not only that, but the Joker has feelings, as the whole movie is about how the Joker acts out because Batman tells the antagonist he isn’t an important part of his life.
In fairness, it’s all in service of the film, which is essentially a parody movie, and it’s hilarious, but it doesn’t help the Joker’s odds in the Hunger Games. Ultimately, the LEGO Joker joined forces with the caped crusader and became one of the good guys. Any classic characteristics the Joker had were dropped except for his theatricality, and that quirk won’t get the character very far in the arena either.
1960s Joker
It’s no secret that the 1960s Adam West-led television show was unbelievably campy, from the tights the heroes dressed up in to the on-screen onomatopoeia fighting descriptions like “POW!” and “BAM!” The Joker was no different, as Caesar Romero’s portrayal of the character is some of the hammiest acting of all time.
Because of this, there isn’t much to cling to in terms of ingenious schemes or how trigger-happy he is. However, he did hold his own against Batman on many occasions, and he was arguably much physically stronger too, as, at one point, he was holding the caped crusader up against the wall by his throat. Hand-to-hand combat is where the 1960s Joker would excel in the Hunger Games more than some of the other Jokers, but that’s as far as his skill set goes.
The Dark Knight Joker
The Joker seen in the classic Christopher Nolan-directed movie is unlike any of the other on-screen depictions, as he’s portrayed as smart, and maybe even a genius. He was able to seize two giant boats, one of which was full of criminals, and he pulled off the whole plan to intentionally get captured perfectly. However, outside of making the pencil disappear, he isn’t all that great at fighting, as he could barely even fight Batman in the climax and simply unleashed dogs on him.
Compared to other Jokers, Heath Ledger’s Joker is fairly well mannered. The Joker in The Dark Knight is really good at making people angry, whether it’s Harvey Dent, Batman, or even criminal gangs. Although he could take out a couple of his opponents in the Hunger Games, he would probably be defeated by the Jokers who become more violent when they’re angry.
2019 Joker
Arthur Fleck in Joker may have had the power to start a revolution, but it was almost inadvertent, as that wasn’t his intention when he killed Murray Franklin. However, that’s exactly what makes Arthur Fleck so terrifying, as he has so much power that he doesn’t know how to use and is capable of spontaneously horrific things.
Sometimes not having a plan and following immediate instincts works better than any plan. Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker was frighteningly real, and it’s the character’s unpredictability is that will help him get far in the arena.
Gotham’s Joker
There were tons of fake-outs in Gotham, as it teased fans with huge reveals that simply never happened. However, after five years of teasing the character, Jeremiah was finally revealed as the Joker in his outfit and make-up in the very last season. And though fans didn’t get to see Jeremiah’s make-up-covered face for too long, he was up to no good and one of the most intimidating Jokers long before he donned the attire.
The character blew up Wayne Manor, killed dozens of people, and he came extremely close to murdering Commissioner Gordon and Barbara. Few other Jokers are capable of the same horrific things, and that’s saying a lot, so this Joker had a good chance of surviving till the end.
1989 Batman’s Joker
The Tim Burton-directed 1989 movie took a lot of liberties with the source material. One of the biggest differences from the comic books was that the Joker was a gangster. But Jack Napier wasn’t just depicted as any gangster, but an Al Capone, prohibition-type gangster wielding Tommy guns and wearing pinstripe suits.
The character looked extremely dangerous while mass-murdering people and he genuinely enjoyed doing it. He’s even somewhat of a chemist, which is a unique skill that none of the other on-screen Jokers have and could come in handy in the Hunger Games. The only thing that could distract Napier from his killing spree is an art gallery, as the character has an obsessive penchant for art.
Batman: The Animated Series Joker
The best thing about the character is Mark Hamill’s amazing voice acting. But that isn’t the only thing that’s fascinating about the character. Of all the on-screen Jokers, none have faced off with Batman more than the one in Batman: The Animated Series.
The DCEU Joker never even properly came face to face with the caped crusader. And not just that, but Mark Hamill's Joker came the closest to defeating Batman on several occasions and traumatized him to no end too. When it comes to his performance in the Hunger Games, the animated Joker has the most schemes and is the most chaotic, and the only person he could possibly lose to is a more brawny variant of himself.
The DCEU Joker
The DCEU Joker is one person that can intimidate anyone who walks by him. But it isn’t just bravado, as this Joker is extremely dangerous and wants to make sure everyone knows not to cross him. He is easily the fittest, most agile, and combative of all the Jokers.
In a deleted scene, which may be a part of the much in demand The Ayer Cut, he is walking around casually swinging a baseball bat. When the DCEU Joker wants to rob a place, he doesn’t put as much planning into it as The Dark Knight Joker, and he violently storms the place. He isn’t scared of anything, not even death, and considering how he mysteriously survived a helicopter crash, there isn’t anything that much worse that any human being could do to him.