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You'll be Surprised to Know that the Impressive Characters in the Movie Actually Have Real-life Counterparts.
When it comes to characters in movies with peculiar destinies, eccentric personalities, or extraordinary abilities, people often think they are merely products of the talented creators' imagination. While that may be true in some cases, in others, behind these fascinating characters are incredibly inspiring stories.
Below Are the Sources of Inspiration Behind 5 Unique Characters in DC Movies That Will Leave Everyone Astonished.
Darkseid - Inspired by Adolf Hitler
After departing Marvel and deciding to transition to DC, Jack Kirby promptly created one of the most formidable villains in this universe. The character in question is Darkseid, who recently appeared in the Justice League Snyder Cut (2021) film. Whether in DC comics or movies, Darkseid is always depicted as a tyrannical, cruel, ruthless villain and the fear of almost every creature in the universe.
In an interview, Jack Kirby also mentioned that Darkseid's terrifying demeanor was inspired by the image of Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler. According to him, Hitler could be considered a character that instilled fear in many during World War II. Moreover, Hitler didn't hesitate to eliminate a certain race, much like how Darkseid enjoys conquering the world.
Joker - Inspired by Conrad Veidt
You're surely familiar with this DC cinematic character, depicted as a psychotic villain and perpetual nemesis of Batman. Yes, it's the Joker. This character has become one of DC's most iconic villains and appeared in numerous live-action films, including his solo film starring Joaquin Phoenix.
Interestingly, the horrifying villain Joker was created with inspiration from a real person. Bob Kane and Bill Finger admitted that they drew inspiration from actor Conrad Veidt when creating the Joker in 1940. Specifically, the inspiration came after seeing Veidt in the film The Man Who Laughs (1928), adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo.
In the movie, Veidt portrays a man afflicted with a disorder that causes him to constantly smile. This is where the concept of Joker, known for his sinister grin, emerged and became his character's precursor.
Constantine - Inspired by Sting
Constantine stands as one of the most reliable superheroes with magical prowess in the DC universe, as demonstrated in his solo film starring Keanu Reeves in 2005. However, being a magic-savvy superhero, Constantine is said to lack the appearance of a typical sorcerer. In fact, he has a rather cool demeanor for a superhero.
The reason behind Constantine's aloof and quirky appearance may also be linked to the character's inspiration. You see, the character drew inspiration from Sting, known as the lead vocalist of the band The Police. The reason for choosing Sting is quite simple, as Stephen Bissette and John Totleben, the creators of Constantine, were big fans of The Police.
Catwoman - Inspired by Jean Harlow and Ruth Steele
Catwoman is known as a famous anti-heroine in the DC universe and is also the love interest of Batman. She has appeared in several DC films and has been portrayed by some famous Hollywood actresses, such as Halle Berry and Anne Hathaway. Besides being known for her agility and thievery skills, Catwoman is also famous for her ability to captivate her men.
Indeed, the seductive allure of Catwoman was the focal point for Bob Kane and Bill Finger when they created her in 1940. As the inspiration for their character's archetype, Kane and Finger also drew inspiration from actresses with sultry careers such as Jean Harlow. In fact, Kane even used his cousin, Ruth Steele, as a model for Catwoman.
Harley Quinn - Inspired by Arleen Sorkin
In the movie adaptation, Harley Quinn, portrayed by Margot Robbie, dresses like an ordinary person. However, in animated series or comic versions of the story, Joker's lover almost always wears her signature red clown outfit, complete with her iconic hat. Well, it turns out that Harley Quinn's costume is related to the inspiration behind her creation.
This is because Paul Dini, one of the creators of Harley Quinn, was at the time watching his closest friend, actress Arleen Sorkin, in the soap opera Days of Our Lives. In that episode, Sorkin's character was supposed to wear a clown costume. Upon seeing this, Paul Dini immediately conceived the idea of creating the character Harley Quinn as Joker's lover.
Interestingly, Paul Dini, also the writer of the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, immediately suggested Sorkin to voice Harley Quinn. Thus, Harley Quinn also made her debut in the comics with the voice of the very person who creatively inspired her.
