Joaquin Phoenix signs on to play The Joker in low budget origin movie that shoots this fall

By

·

July 10, 2018

Way back in February we heard that Joaquin Phoenix was in talks to star as The Joker in an upcoming origin movie, and today The Hollywood Reporter says that it's a done deal.

The Joker will be part of a new brand of DC Comics movies at Warner Bros. and won't be connected to the DCEU. Instead, it will be a much lower budget movie (in the $55 million range) and "more experimental in tone and content" according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Joker will be an “exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale," Warner Bros. said.

The Hangover's Todd Phillips is directing The Joker. He also co-wrote the script with The Fighter's Scott Silver. We had heard that the legendary Martin Scorsese would be producing the movie, but that news wasn't confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter today.

The Joker will begin shooting this September in New York City. A release date hasn't been set at this time.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter

This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com

218 comments

ZaQueerdo
July 10, 2018
My first thought as well. The spending got really out of control with the last few movies, so I'm glad Hamada is reigning it in here.
Danny Neiba
July 10, 2018
This movie makes so much sense. I see the direction that WB wants to embark on. With their collection of dark comic book characters and their stories, I hope this movie does do its job of exploring this character's core and how a man becomes the Batman's nemesis: the Joker. Cannot wait!
1. adqm1409
  July 10, 2018
  Make sense?? Creating a new universe with a new iteration of the same character with another actor despite the first universe is not even properly established?? I see everything but sense with this decision....this is an act of desperation, they probably begged Scorsese to direct something of DC to attract headlines and make people believe again and he probably said something like "I don't have time for that but if you pay me a lot a could produce something but only if you do everything i say" and warner probably said "Yes, Off Course !!!", that is the story of this movie.
  1. Danny Neiba
    July 10, 2018
    Nah..I think you need to pick up a comic and check out the different iterations of these characters. There is a plethora of fantastic stories of all these DC characters. WB will cash in big time with this
  2. Larry_King_REAL
    July 11, 2018
    "That is the story is this movie" But what's wrong with any of that?
2. Nahuel Benvenuto
  July 11, 2018
  it actually makes zero sense from any standpoint
  1. Clay Castille
    July 11, 2018
    DC Box Office has been falling since TDKR in line with critical reception, Todd Phillips has made WB a fair amount of money and Phoenix as been on a hot streak since the Master. Left field, absolutely, but hardly nonsensical.
  2. ShobiNaq
    July 11, 2018
    I can't believe that you and I agree on something ...
Mr F
July 10, 2018
Thanks for not calling this a prequel.
BatmanNewsChris
July 10, 2018
They're shooting this thing in 2 months! They could definitely have a costume finalized by now and release a photo of Phoenix as The Joker next week at Comic-Con. I'll take concept art at the very least!
1. Jesse Hernandez
  July 10, 2018
  I have a feeling they won’t say anything about it. I’m I wrong to think that
2. Seb
  July 10, 2018
  Idk... something tells me they're not gonna show anything at CC, mainly because this film doesn't seem to be targeting comic book (movie) fans.
3. BatmanNewsChris
  July 10, 2018
  I think so. Maybe they'll go the Batman Begins route. One hour of origin and then one hour of The Joker. I'd be very surprised if he's not The Joker at all or if it's just at the very end.
  I honestly didn't even consider that scenario until you just mentioned it. I'd be very disappointed if that's the movie we end up getting.
  1. Drake Grayson
    July 11, 2018
    Isn’t Batman a must for a Joker origin film. Even if he’s just portrayed as a dark menacing antagonist in the shadows and perhaps never clearly seen with Phoenix as the protagonist, he has to be in the film in some capacity, right?...
    1. BatmanNewsChris
      July 11, 2018
      It'd be nice but I don't think he's a "must" (and I don't think he'll be in the movie).
      1. Drake Grayson
        July 11, 2018
        Damn. That makes me a sad panda 🐼
    2. Gotham n Cheese
      July 11, 2018
      Hopefully at least some references to Batman. A cameo would be awesome but unlikely. I’d prefered a Joker movie with Batman as the ‘bad guy’ in the sense that he keeps foiling the main character’s plans and pops out of the dark, almost scaring the audience. Batman wanted to strike fear in the criminals.... wouldnt it be cool to see a movie totally from Joker’s perspective where you never know when Batman will pop out or where he’s hiding?!?!
      1. Drake Grayson
        July 11, 2018
        Exactly! That is 100% what I am hoping to see in that film. And I honestly believe not doing that could cost the film some ticket sales.
4. Batpod4L
  July 11, 2018
  Something tells me that this Joker origin film will be similar to the first part of "The Killing Joke." My hunch is this will be very elaborate in delving into the psyche of the Joker and what caused him to turn into the joke i.e. one bad day. If its well received I bet we will get the other half of the story with another Batman ending him. My guess! It makes perfect sense as to why there is two people currently playing this character. One to carry a shared universe and another to bring a piece of batman literature to the big screen!
5. UltimateBadass
  July 11, 2018
  @bat@BatmanNewsCom:disqus SHAZAM official FIRST LOOK!! https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
  1. BatmanNewsChris
    July 11, 2018
    Thanks I just got that posted! https://batman-news.com/201...
Jerry Nice
July 10, 2018
It makes perfect sense that a comic book property would treat films like they do the books - namely, some of my favorite DC collections are Elseworld stories. I would also LOVE "Batman Year 100" & "Red Son" adaptations under this umbrella!
1. Rust
  July 10, 2018
  It would be pretty sweet if they just labeled the side brand 'DC Elseworlds', and tag-lined it 'Anything can happen.' :)
  1. Hunter Zolomon
    July 10, 2018
    I would love a Gotham By Gaslight live action film, the Animated film was pretty sweet but i would kill for a live action version.
  2. Alan Conn
    July 11, 2018
    Oh god these r great ideas imo.
marsz
July 10, 2018
Very exciting news! Now cue the morons like Reverse_Flash, ShuylerFinely, etc. to complain.
1. Rust
  July 10, 2018
  https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
2. Jesse Hernandez
  July 10, 2018
  Add Godspeed as well
  1. marsz
    July 11, 2018
    true
3. Schuyler Finley
  July 10, 2018
  When the hell did I complain about the Joker film?
BatfleckRules
July 10, 2018
I really hope Phoenix can bring back the "creep-factor" back to the Joker. The Joker hasn't creeped me out since Jack Nicholson.
Ledger was crazy and entertaining... but he wasn't scary. Leto was was just kinda underwhelming in general.
1. Hunter Zolomon
  July 10, 2018
  "Ledger was crazy and entertaining... but he wasn't scary." I would have to disagree with that, Ledger's Joker felt real and like could exist in the real world. The fact his eyes were completely dead and devoid of any emotion really showed how incredible Ledger was and why its easily one of the best performances to ever appear in film.
  1. BatfleckRules
    July 10, 2018
    Disagree.
    To me, he just kinda came off as a generic crazy guy... with the cliche high pitch voice and everything. But he wasn't intimidating enough.
    Nicholson is just creepy in general and the fact that he showed some restraint in his performance... with how over the top he would get.. made him more intimidating.
    1. ItzSilentStorm
      July 10, 2018
      tbh, and for a long time i never thought i would say this, but many aspects of those movie were, imo, great "for the time". I think once we finally start seeing some different legitimate flavors in the batman world, people will start to view the nolan films a bit differently. They will still be held in a high regard, but I dont think people will "always" see them as THE be all end all of batman movies and maybe even comic book movies. Like in all honest,y as much as I like Batman Begins, parts of it feel a tad outdated for me now.
      1. Hunter Zolomon
        July 10, 2018
        Thing is with The Dark Knight its classed as not just as an incredible comic book film but an incredible film on its own right. Its classed as one of the best films of the 21st century and even now its still being discussed and debated, in fact it hasn't dated at all because a ton of what's talked about in the film is relevant to today's world. Ultimately maybe WW aside the Nolan Trilogy especially TDK will stand test of time far more then any other DC film released so far, i can assure you in 2038 there will articles and tributes to TDK 30th Anniversary while pretty much every MCU film and DCEU film will just be distant memories from people who experienced them when they were on.
      2. Seb
        July 10, 2018
        I actually don't love TDK as much as most, but I knew even at the time that this movie was going to be an instant classic. After all of these years, it's still widely regarded as the best CBM of all time. It will never be beaten (though again, I personally much preferred Batman Begins over TDK).
      3. Hunter Zolomon
        July 10, 2018
        Batman Begins i find is a better Batman film but i found TDK to be a better film, TDK is without a doubt my favorite film of all time and i would say Begins is a without a doubt my favorite origin film. I think the only comic book film what comes close to TDK levels outside of Begins is Logan, watched that again the other night and damn its incredible and frankly both Jackman and Stewart should have have got some Oscar love for the film.
      4. Seb
        July 11, 2018
        DKR may have some problems, but I still think it's a better Batman film than TDK, even though like you said, TDK is the better overall film. That's why I love BB so much, because it's really about Batman and I loved the story far more than TDK's story.
      5. Rust
        July 10, 2018
        I can't help imagining you running back to us from a speed force trip to the future carrying a newspaper from 2038 to prove it. lol
      6. Hunter Zolomon
        July 10, 2018
        I will if i can haha.
      7. ItzSilentStorm
        July 10, 2018
        like I said, they will still be held in a high regard. I just dont think people will always believe that they can never be topped in any way(which is what some people believe). People act like nothing in the DCEU will ever come close to The Dark Knight but i dont agree with that at all. You can make movie that are great in their own way. I believe Matt Reeves has the potential to bring his own creative spin to the batman mythos that many could consider equally as good or maybe better in some aspects. Though, admittedly, there is a bit of a distinction, imo, between TDK and Batman Begins. WHen I compare the two, Begins does to me feel in some ways slightly more old school than the latter films. However TDK also does not feel quite as edgy as it used to for me. I realize i am in the minority with these opinions regarding those movies though. Like I said, they will still be classics, but I think people's perception of the characters will change once we see a different take
      8. BatfleckRules
        July 10, 2018
        That’s exactly how I feel about TDK as a Batman fan. I just can’t admit it’s the be all end all of Batman when to me it’s just so vastly different from Batman comics in many ways
        Everything in those films was “Nolanized”.... that was
        Nolan putting his own spin on the Batman mythos and altering everything to how he saw fit rather than giving the most faithful adaptation possible
      9. ItzSilentStorm
        July 10, 2018
        pretty much. I think they are very strong movies but I just personally dont love them as "batman" movies. Too grounded. I get that thats what we needed at the time though I think for people to see the character differently and take him seriously again. I am hoping we can get back to a more comic booky batman and a more comic booky world.
      10. BatfleckRules
        July 11, 2018
        Yep i’m sort of with you on that but I think Snyder already gave us a good balance between realism and comic book world.
        I don’t need them to make Gotham any more cartoony than what Snyder did.
        Nolan was too realistic
        Burton was too cartoony
        Snyder struck a good balance... even though I have other issues withBvS
      11. BatfleckRules
        July 14, 2018
        Yes, don’t get me wrong I enjoy the Burton/Schumacher films on a certain level... but to me, neither Burton/Schumacher made a very accurate representation of what Batman is in the comics... or at least not the comics that I find to be the most definitive version of Batman.
        Batman 89 didn’t take as many liberties as Batman Returns but enough things were “wrong” in B89 as well
    2. Hunter Zolomon
      July 10, 2018
      You clearly haven't noticed all the little tics and detail in Ledger's performance, end of the day the performance is classed as one of the best ever so generic it is not. I assure you being stuck in a room with Nicholson's Joker would be much better then being stuck in a room with Ledger's Joker. Also worth noting top criminal psychologists have said Ledger is the best on screen psychopath in a film.
      1. BatfleckRules
        July 10, 2018
        Maybe not classed that way by most fans... but I feel that way myself.
        I just don’t think there was anything that was remarkable about his performance. I would call it good... but nothing more.
        Ledger failed to get under my skin and to me, that’s not a sign of a good bad guy.
      2. Hunter Zolomon
        July 11, 2018
        No its one of the best performances to appear in a film and that's just a fact, this is like Hopkins as Lecter or De Niro as LaMotta where objectively the performance is one of the very best ever to appear in a film even if your not a fan. Your free to have your opinions but saying Ledger's performance is generic and not remarkable is liking saying your opinion is the Sun and Moon aren't real things. Nicholson gave a performance, Ledger became the role and improvised a ton of it with basic things like a slight movement of the eyes (look at his eye when people question his mental health) or licking his lips being things he added purposely to reveal a lot about his character, if an actor can completely appear devoid of emotion in the eyes and show nothing but coldness and deadness in them then that's a sign of a fucking incredible performance.
      3. BatfleckRules
        July 11, 2018
        There is no single person or even group of people that can decide that their subjective opinion is fact.
        Filmmaking is art. There is creativity that goes into it. Therefore, someone’s performance d that you thought was fantastic and incredible may not have worked for someone else. In this case, many people did love Ledger and that’s fine but it doesn’t make any of your opinions fact because this is still just art, and everyone will be affected by someone’s performance differently.
        I have also seen many people that have the opinion that Ledger’s performance was overrated so I’m most definitely not alone.
        The fact that you’re willing to pass off your subjective opinion as almighty fact just goes to show the maturity level of the type of person that loves Heath Ledgers performance.
        I’m not saying all people that love Heath’s joker are immature dorks but i’ve definitely noticed patterns with Nolan fanboys. You’re all the type of people that can’t handle that some people don’t worship or enjoy Nolan’s movies.
        You’re the first ones to call anyone that finds Nolan’s movies overrated “insane” or “crazy” for not liking them because you’re all trying to pass it off as fact that Nolan’s Batman trilogy are some of the best movies the world has ever seen.
        Problem is, it’s simply not fact... unless you want to roll with the egotistical and insane belief that your opinion matters more than other people’s opinions.
        Remember, we’re all judging art here. Purely subjective.
        It is my subjective opinion that Heath Ledger did acted the role of Joker well enough but for me it only slightly impresssd me. I watched the film and was left wanting more from a live action Joker by the time the credits rolled. He just wasn’t fun or creepy. They attempted to make him creepy and funny, but imo they mostly failed.
        The only area I think they succeeded in with Heath is making him insane. Overall though, in the end he didn’t have all the elements that I feel make. great live action Joker.
        I need to feel intimidated by the Joker... I never felt that from Heath.
      4. Wintervention
        July 12, 2018
        @batfleckrules22:disqus
        Lurking as a guest and I read this discussion and it irked me enough to make a guest account and post. You say that "Filmmaking is art and art is subjective" and "it is my subjective opinion" and "opinion is not fact", but you do realize that your very monkier is a contradiction. Your name is BatfleckRules. Meaning, Batfleck rules over all other Batmen. That's your subjective opinion. You are trying to discredit not only @Zoom2002:disqus but also people who adore the Nolan films as a whole, while professing the Snyder verse as some kind of gold standard that must be met (evidenced by you saying that it struck the best balance between Burton's camp and Nolan's grounded).
        See the hypocrisy there? And bud, don't act like Nolan fans are a nightmare. Snyder fans are *just* as bad with their 'holier than thou' authority.(@NinjaGamer13:disqus is a perfect example of this - blatant patronization and bullying veiled by his well-constructed words). Both sides have their rotten eggs.
      5. BatfleckRules
        July 14, 2018
        Wrong, wrong, wromg, wrong and wrong. Difference between me and other fanboys is that i’m not passing off my opinion as fact. Yes, I think Batfleck is the best Batman, but that’s I also acknowledge that’s MY opinion and I don’t believe that it’s a fact that his Batman is the best live action Batman. This is the difference between myself and many other fanboys on here is that I can admit my opinion isn’t fact.
        And if you’ll take a look around you’ll see i’m not a Snyder fanboy. I don’t want to see the Snyder cut, and I was happy he got fired. On top of that, my score for BvS is about 6/10. So you’re wrong that I’m a Snyder fanboy.
        Ben Affleck’s Batman was my favourite thing about BvS, but overall I don’t think BvS was a good movie.
        So I’m glad you only wasted time making a guest account to make this post because you’re pretty off on all your points overall lol
      6. Hunter Zolomon
        July 12, 2018
        A performance being incredible isn't subjective, sorry but not everything is opinion based in this world.
      7. BatfleckRules
        July 14, 2018
        It most certainly is.
        Personally, I would say his performance was “good”. There was nothing about his performance that blew me away. And then aside from the fact that I feel it was a good performance, overall I’m not fond of it because it wasn’t really how I envision a live action Joker should be. I felt the character was taken just a little too seriously, which is sort of an issue I have with Nolan’s batman films in general
        I don’t think there was anything that Heath Ledger did as Joker that a handful of other handsome male
        actors couldn’t have pulled off. For Heath, it was entirely the make up and fake scars that gave his appearence any creep factor whatsoever, which honestly...
        wasn’t really that creepy.
        So why couldn’t any other handsome male from Hollywood look like his Joker?
        Then there’s the high pitch voice and high pitch laugh... as if there is nobody that can do that kinda voice or something similar.
        Licking his scars? Easy
        Part of the issue for
        me was also the writing of the Joker. I wasnt as impressed by lines like “Why so seriousuh?!” like other people seemed to be I thought his dialogue could’ve been more clever with some dark humour mixed in.
        So screw that man, whether or not someone feels his performance was incredible or not is most definitely subjective. Especially considering we all have different standards and expectations.
        Yes i’m in the minority, but that doesn’t mean my opinion is invalidated.
        Sometimes, someone’s opinion can come off as so over the top that you kinda have to question whether they believe what they say or whether they are trolling... like for example if someone said Heath Ledgers performance was terrible I’d have a hard time believing that they even believe their own opinion.
        But for someone to disagree with the idea that Heath’s performance is incredible seems fair... especially seeing as that’s what I believe myself.
      8. Hunter Zolomon
        July 14, 2018
        Dude not everything is subjective and i wish the internet generation would understand that simple thing, Ledger giving an incredible performance what will still be talked about in 50 years time is not being subjective.
        End of the day if someone was to say Hopkins gave a terrible performance in Silence Of The Lambs and De Niro was awful in Taxi Driver and Raging Bull would you say its fine because opinions? No performances for the most part on the higher end of acting like Ledger's Joker, Hopkins as Lecter, Nicholson in One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest, Weaver as Ripley and De Niro in Taxi Driver and Raging Bull are objectively incredible performances and that's just that.
        You're clearly naive you must be to think that and you clearly don't understand acting that well if you think that. Again if you don't like Ledger's performance that's fine but that doesn't change that objectively its one of the best performances in film what will be talked about until films are no longer a thing anymore.
      9. BatfleckRules
        July 14, 2018
        Read the last paragraph of my last post and you’ll see that I wouldn’t agree that those performances you mentioned are terrible. You can tell when someone is being unreasonable.
        I’m not saying Heath was terrible tho... my argument is that he wasn’t incredible. That’s far more reasonable.
2. Jay Pay
  July 10, 2018
  IMO Nicholson gave a silly clown performance. I enjoyed it but Ledger gave the more intimidating Joker. Maybe not creepy...
  1. Drake Grayson
    July 11, 2018
    I enjoy both performances. They both had a disturbing psychopath aura to them and successfully high jacked Gotham in fear the way a true Joker would. Ledger was clearly the better fighter and strategist though, despite his plans involving a bit of luck to go right. But hey, that’s why the Joker card is usually wild in card games.
3. Qthetar .
  July 10, 2018
  Coming from a Snyder fanboy I see why you would think of Ledger performance that way.
  1. Rust
    July 10, 2018
    That person isn't a Snyder fanboy.
    1. BatfleckRules
      July 10, 2018
      TY
      Just not a huge Nolan Batman fan... more specifically TDK and TDKR. Batman Begins is easily the best film of the trilogy for me
      1. Drake Grayson
        July 11, 2018
        I agree, simply because Begins is the only story about Bruce. He’s a tertiary character in the other two installments. Ledger and Eckard carried TDK with amazing performances though and the action was better than Begins. Nolan completely lost me with Rises simply by what he did to Bruce’s character.
4. NinjaGamer13
  July 10, 2018
  What world have I stumbled into?
  1. BatfleckRules
    July 11, 2018
    Lol a world where opinions on whether or not people like certain takes on their favourite characters are understandably subjective
    I wasn’t a fan of Nolan’s stripped back “realistic” take on Batman where Gotham City was boring and watching Batman fight crime has never been more boring due to dullard action sequences
    I’m not a fan of Nolan’s style, i find watching his movies is like watching paint dry in many ways.
    Each of his films have their moments but they just don’t give me what i want out of a Batman movie. I don’t need pretentiousness in my Batman movies
    1. NinjaGamer13
      July 11, 2018
      I don’t know how to respond. I’m gonna go rock back and forth in a corner.
      1. NinjaGamer13
        July 11, 2018
        I always suspected you were autistic.
Ned Ryerson
July 10, 2018
If they do this in a world without Batman that's cool enough but if Batman exists and he's just like a mythic wraith the underworld is just starting to be fearful of in certain circles, kinda like Keaton's Batman at the beginning of Batman '89 as far as the mythic like reputation or chatter about him that'd be incredibly cool, even if it's not at all the main plot and just briefly mentioned.
1. marsz
  July 10, 2018
  100% agree
2. Jay Pay
  July 10, 2018
  Totally! I’ve loved that idea ever since Burtons Batman. The idea that people have no clue what this human sized Bat is. Some say a myth, cops say a man, criminals say a creature. Whatever it is, it scares the hell out of people.
3. Drake Grayson
  July 11, 2018
  YES! I am hoping for that as well. 🤞🏻
Hunter Zolomon
July 10, 2018
Haha at those on here saying this was bullshit and its just rumors while acting like they know everything. As for the news itself well can't say i care that much, i really don't like the idea of a Joker origin film especially with no Bats however i'm thrilled Phoenix is playing him as he's an incredible actor, in fact he could very well be near Ledger's level if they do this right and not screw up.
1. marsz
  July 10, 2018
  Nicholson was a better Joker than Ledger. Nuff said.
  1. Hunter Zolomon
    July 10, 2018
    You may prefer his version but objectively Ledger gave a far better performance, Ledger's performance is one of the best performances to ever appear in a film. Nicholson while great was just playing Nicholson and he's done that type of performance far better in other roles.
    1. marsz
      July 11, 2018
      False. You morons think this is true because he is no longer alive.
      1. Hunter Zolomon
        July 11, 2018
        Fact end off goodbye.
2. Rust
  July 10, 2018
  Exactly my feelings. Excited for the creative freedom and for Phoenix, but not a fan of the origin idea, or the seeming lack of Batman.
  I'm gonna give this a chance. There's a fresh energy about making this out-there play that I like ...so far. ;p
Hunter Zolomon
July 10, 2018
I suspect this will be R-Rated as well so a lower budget would be needed.
ItzSilentStorm
July 10, 2018
wonder if this one will be R rated as well. Wouldn't surprise me
myzterius
July 10, 2018
Fantastic news, hopefully this universe will collide with the dceu when they get their shit together.
1. KnightReign
  July 10, 2018
  What universe?
  1. myzterius
    July 11, 2018
    Well this one and the dceu.
    1. KnightReign
      July 11, 2018
      So a movie that hasn't even entered production constitutes a universe now?
      1. Larry_King_REAL
        July 11, 2018
        It's a new religion, haven't you heard?
nelson
July 10, 2018
Very good news. Todd Phillips is a good director in my opinion. War Dogs is a underrated movie and Joaquin Phoenix is the top of his game. Now we need some official news about Henry Cavill starring in a new Superman movie.
1. BatmanNewsChris
  July 10, 2018
  I loved War Dogs. It made me fall in love with Ana de Armas and want to see Jonah Hill as The Penguin.
  1. BatmanNewsChris
    July 10, 2018
    YES! I'm 100% on board with that. I originally wanted Carla Gugino for Ben Affleck's older Batman, but now I think they'll go with a younger actress since she'll probably be hanging out with Harley Quinn and Batgirl (hopefully).
    1. BatmanNewsChris
      July 10, 2018
      It could work! I did that with Carla Gugino a few years ago and got her attention! https://twitter.com/carlagu...
    2. Hunter Zolomon
      July 11, 2018
      She was great in Blade Runner 2049 as well.
Vger64
July 10, 2018
I am giving this a chance. I think it will be Damn good! It would not surprise if this might be connected to the Matt Reeves "The Batman" or later films.
Bob Burger
July 10, 2018
If only the DCEU was half as good as my morning toast (generally nearly burnt) we wouldn't need this.
This however sounds interesting. I don't like knowing the origin for the Joker tbh, it helps with his whole mysticism. Anyways I hope this does very well.
Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
July 10, 2018
Man, I can't wait for this movie.
Jim Shields
July 10, 2018
Sounds to me like they had a good psychological thriller script ready and might have adapted it to make it about the Joker. This is probably a good thing. Start with a good story first. Not "we need to make a movie about character xyz" and throw something together to support that ip.
Ben Dutchover
July 10, 2018
Just have this Joker in it's own universe, along with Matt Reeves Batman, and go forward with the DCEU (Affleck's Batman and Leto's Joker). They are already doing enough coocoo work in WB/DC, anyways, so see what the audiences want more, or by having 2 different universes maybe they can make back their money from all the JL drama.
1. ZaQueerdo
  July 10, 2018
  Not putting much stock in it, but rumor was they might integrate Joker into the canon depending on how it does. If they end up with a Joker audiences like more than Leto's (which shouldn't be hard, tbh) it'd make sense for them to want to capitalize on that.
The Doctor
July 10, 2018
These low-budget films that are independent from the DC film verse might be a great way for DC/WB to get its movie mojo back. Looking forward to hearing more about the project.
Seb
July 10, 2018
Joaquin Phoenix is a fantastic actor. I admit I didn't care too much before, but this has me excited.
1. Rust
  July 10, 2018
  He was my fan-cast for Orm in Aquaman prior to this.
  I think I can put away any lamentations about that now though, as I can't imagine a better fit for this kind of movie.
The Doctor
July 10, 2018
If the film and Phoenix's performance is received well, I could see DC/WB dropping Jared Leto all together and maybe pushing Phoenix into a Matt Reeves Batman film down the line. Just hypothetically speaking.
1. Vger64
  July 10, 2018
  We are on the same page!
thefallen83
July 10, 2018
This sounds amazing, to be honest.
NinjaGamer13
July 10, 2018
Still having trouble believing all this weird stuff is happening, lol
1. Vger64
  July 10, 2018
  I think it's F-ing Amazing! I am on board. I just am worried about BOP. I hope they prove me wrong!
  1. NinjaGamer13
    July 10, 2018
    Yeah, I have my concerns about BoP, too, but I’m not so much worried about this DC Dark Joker stuff (since it’s its own thing entirely) as I am just weirded out and confused
    1. NinjaGamer13
      July 11, 2018
      Why confused? It makes perfect sense to try and undo the damage Snyder did? This way they don't have to reboot/recast the main universe, and can tell stories about Batman and other characters that focus on character and not slow motion death.
john
July 10, 2018
as a fan of dc comics i have faith in that movie because for starters they hired Joaquin Pheonix to be the Joker. among other things, Joaquin was great in the Gladiator movie, Russel Crowe was great in the 'Man of Steel' fim, its great.
SΛŁIM
July 10, 2018
And now, in the SDCC, they will confirm that "The Batman" and "The Joker-Phoenix" will be the first films of a universe built on the basis of Batman-verse and within the "DC BLACK" label...
https://image.ibb.co/b2HTK8...
Ok, I'm just kidding, but from DC / WB I'm waiting for any announcement.
1. Vger64
  July 10, 2018
  YESSS! Been thinking that way for awhile now.
2. ItzSilentStorm
  July 11, 2018
  isnt that pic for the new Biran Azzarello graphic novel? I think its supposed to feature some supernatural stuff and Batman will team up with Constantine. I wish they would be willing to go that route in the movies honestly. Gotham City is freaking zoo. Its not at all hard to believe that in some dark corners there might be some freaky stuff going on and he would have to bring someone like John or Zatanna to help out.
  1. Hunter Zolomon
    July 11, 2018
    It would be brilliant to see a magical threat and then have Bruce call in Zatanna for help and then show flashbacks to his history with her and her Father in the past.
    1. ItzSilentStorm
      July 11, 2018
      definitely. I just feel most directors who take on batman are going to be pretty gung ho about it being more grounded.
3. Hunter Zolomon
  July 11, 2018
  This would best news ever especially as i'm a fan of the future of what the DC Black Label is bringing.
4. FUN
  July 11, 2018
  Should be DC rainbow label, otherwise is just too dark. WB never learns..
Shah
July 10, 2018
Please let it be good let it be good let it be good let it be good let it be good let it be good...
Sense
July 10, 2018
I like this direction DC is going in, not everything has to be justice league related
Verbal Kint
July 10, 2018
.................False.
lowdevil
July 10, 2018
CAN NOT WAIT
lowdevil
July 10, 2018
This is going to make WB a hell of a lot of money if marketed properly.

Browse By Topic

Browse By Year

This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com