Some of the most famous and popular science fiction characters in modern times were visually inspired by earlier creations or even real people. Cinelinx takes a look at five well-known sci-fi characters and what motivated their appearances.
While these five characters had various inspirations for their personalities and purpose, their specific looks have a clear precedent.
The Joker was based on Gwynplaine from The Man Who Laughs: When Bob Kane needed to come up with the iconic look of the Batman’s soon-to-be arch nemesis, he took inspiration from the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, starring Conrad Veidt. For those unfamiliar with Veidt, he played the first-ever film zombie in the silent classic The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920), and was also Jaffar in the live-action adaptation of Aladdin, called The Thief of Bagdad (1940). The film tells the story of Gwynplaine, the son of an executed 17th century nobleman,...
While these five characters had various inspirations for their personalities and purpose, their specific looks have a clear precedent.
The Joker was based on Gwynplaine from The Man Who Laughs: When Bob Kane needed to come up with the iconic look of the Batman’s soon-to-be arch nemesis, he took inspiration from the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, starring Conrad Veidt. For those unfamiliar with Veidt, he played the first-ever film zombie in the silent classic The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920), and was also Jaffar in the live-action adaptation of Aladdin, called The Thief of Bagdad (1940). The film tells the story of Gwynplaine, the son of an executed 17th century nobleman,...
- 12/23/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
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