Well there you have it, folks – Joaquin Phoenix is locked in to play the next Clown Prince of Crime in a standalone flick for DC Comics.
Back in early Feb, rumours first swirled of a possible Joaquin Joker, helmed by mastermind director, producer, and screenwriter Todd Phillips. On Phillips’ mightily impressive CV are a couple of titles you might recognise including The Hangover trilogy and War Dogs. Phillips is also one of the producers on the highly anticipated A Star Is Born starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper – due for release October 5.
Per Variety, Phillips will direct and co-write the yet-to-be-named Joker film. The mammoth project will kick off in September.
Phoenix’s performance as the Joker will follow Jared Leto’s in the Suicide Squad. Despite a ton of mixed reviews, that movie’s copping a sequel and Leto will have his own standalone film courtesy of Warner Bros. for reasons unknown to the general public.
In other words, cinemagoers will have to wrap their heads around two completely different versions of the Joker, reportedly set to be released within a couple of years of each other.
Current rumours have the Joaquin Joker set in the ’80s – an extremely popular time period at the moment – and will have the feels of a rough and tough crime drama rather than the ol’ comic book aesthetics.
Either way we’re sure Phoenix, known for his bloody quality performance in Her, will undoubtedly do well in the role as the very creepy evil guy.
Scott Silver (The Fighter, 8 Mile, The Finest Hours) will co-write alongside Phillips.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie’s Birds of Prey will be taking flight soon with production penciled in for early 2019. Cathy Yan will direct the film, the first Asian woman to direct a superhero film – and third women overall for DC.
Apart from Batgirl, Black Canary, Vixen, Power Girl, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Hawkgirl, and Huntress are rumoured to appear in the ginormous movie.
