The Joker is one of the greatest characters in the history of comics. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Ask any comic, or even pop culture fan. Even a die-hard Marvel comics guy or gal will admit that the Joker is a near perfect character, when written well.
The Joker on the silver screen is just as sacrosanct, Jack Nicholson's Joker was a force to be reckoned with and defined that era of supervillain. Then, Heath Ledger's Joker changed cinema, when he won an Oscar (posthumously) for a comic book movie performance and gave credibility to the entire genre. Both takes, though very different, changed everything.
But the show must go on, and as long as there is a Batman, so too must there be a Joker. These actors have some impossibly large shoes to fill, but these are the scant few who can play the Clown Prince of Crime himself, actors worthy of the Joker! Upvote the actors you'd most like to see tackle the role.
http://www.ranker.com/list/joker-fantasy-casting/ranker-comics,
Adrien Brody
His face IS the Joker's, with all those impossible angles and proportions. He's also an Academy Award-winning actor who could use the positive exposure. Brody's Joker would be a more elegant, poised, comic book Joker.
Benedict Cumberbatch
This guy is so versatile and can do SO much with his voice that would bring an intense madness to the character. Plus, with that unique face under clown make-up, the Joker would never look better.
Ben Foster
No actor working today brings sheer manic intensity to a part quite like Ben Foster. His shrill, piercing voice and physicality would make for a Joker the likes of which we've never seen.
David Bowie
Before Jack Nicholson signed on as Tim Burton's Joker, one of the names floating around was Bowie and we think he could still nail it. A mix of his Tesla and Jareth would make for an older (more matured?) and wonky Joker.
Matthew McConaughey
Watch "True Detective" and tell us he couldn't own his take on the Joker. Charming madness = McConaughey.
Paul Bettany
Bettany was long rumored for the part before it went to Heath Ledger. He's got the look, the talent, the energy, and fans clearly want him in the role.
Sam Rockwell
This guy has such a weird mix of elegance and mania pouring out of him at all times. Watch Confessions of a Dangerous Mind or Moon; he would nail the classic comic version of the character (which we've never really gotten).
Willem Dafoe
This guy should have been the perfect Norman Osborn, but the Spider-Man script just wasn't right. If given another chance, this time as the ultimate villain, his smile, angular face, voice, and creepy aura would make for a very different and terrifying Joker.
Andrew Scott
Moriarty on "Sherlock" IS the Joker, plain and simple. His vocal range, his erratic speech pattern, and his madness pours from every pore.
Tom Hiddleston
This one's cheating a bit as he's already nailed Marvel's answer to The Joker, as Loki, god of mischief. But, given a little more room to roam and a darker toned film, we'd love to see Hiddleston sink his teeth into an R-rated Joker.