‘Nosferatu’ Star Bill Skarsgard Pictures Himself Playing This Iconic Villain

Actor Bill Skarsgard is obviously excellent at portraying a menacing and frightening character, as proven in his performance as Pennywise, The Dancing Killer Clown, in two IT movies and now as the terrifying vampire title character Nosferatu in the 2024 remake.

So when he spoke recently on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, it should be no surprise that Skarsgard has an interest in playing The Joker in some kind of a Batman movie or series.

“I think there’d be a [expletive] cool Joker in me, probably somewhere. I think that would be pretty sick.” He says his favorite version of the DC Comic villain is that of Heath Ledger’s in the 2008 movie The Dark Knight.

The character originated in the DC comic world first appearing in a comic book in 1940. The archenemy of superhero Batman, The Joker spends his time terrorizing the broken-down fantasy city of Gotham. Originally planned as a one-time appearance, The Joker was loved by audiences so much that writers were inclined to include the unhinged clown-faced maniac in the main storylines. His personality has changed a bit from mischievous to a bit edgier with interest in causing chaos to those in his path.

Many other talented actors have portrayed the iconic role of The Joker from television to film. Actor Cesar Romero played the villain on television from 1966-1968. Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson put his own unique spin on the character in the critically acclaimed 1989 movie costarring Michael Keaton in the title role. Ledger’s appearance in 2008 was followed by Jared Leto’s turn in 2016 in Suicide Squad. And Joaquin Phoenix played the character twice in 2019 and 2024 in Joker.

Skarsgard is excellent at portraying characters that make you want to sleep with the lights on. In the title role of Nosferatu, Skarsgard gives a disturbing performance as the haunting vampire Count Orlok in the reboot of the 1922 classic silent film. Thus far, it seems audiences love to be scared as it’s received an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. The story follows Count Orlok as he longingly adores a troubled woman from afar.

Skarsgard has his impressive resume but he also hails from an acting gene pool of talent. His older brother Alexander appeared in True Blood and The Stand. Their father, Stellan, has appeared in Good Will Hunting, The Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy and Mama Mia!