Whenever an actor

steps into an established role,

they run the risk of repeating

their predecessors.

With Heath Ledger as the Joker,

it was as if we were meeting this character for the first time.

Ledger originally auditioned to play

the Dark Knight in 'Batman Begins'.

At the time,

many could imagine Ledger in that role

but they were more skeptical of him playing the Clown Prince of Crime.

The second Ledger takes off his mask

and delivers his first line,

any doubts are swept away

by a haunting, transcendent,

and darkly humorous performance.

We’ve seen others come close to capturing

what Ledger achieved with the character.

Joaquin Phoenix’s

2019 embodiment in 'Joker'

is certainly nothing to scoff at

but Ledger’s portrayal

is truly lightning in a bottle,

winning him

a posthumous Academy Award.