It’s happening, the beginning of DC Films side films focusing on Elseworld stories has left Warner Bros has the studio confirmed Joaquin Phoenix will be taking on the supervillain The Joker.
As stated in their press release this film will be directed and co-written by Todd Phillips (The Hangover, War Dogs) in what will be an origin story with “the film centres around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story” that has never been seen on screen before and will be exploring “a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also broader cautionary tale.”
I can’t help but think that last quote means we could see a man battling mental illness. Don’t get me wrong we won’t feel sorry when he starts murdering people around Gotham, but as a man, in the beginning, we could feel empathy before the monster takes over and we feel betrayed and hatred towards him.
Phillips will be writing with Scott Silver (The Fighter) with Emma Tillinger Koskoff (Wolf of Wall Street, Hugo, The Departed) and Richard Baratta (Wolf of Wall Street) will be on board as producer and executive producer.
Phoenix has been one of this generations most respected and best actors who knocked it out of the park with his latest starring role in Lynne Ramsey’s You Were Never Really Here and he becomes only the sixth actor play this iconic character.
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| IMAGE VIA STUDIOCANAL/ WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS |
As revealed by Omega Underground, the film will begin production this September in New York City. This could mean it’s likely with its $55 million budget, we could see this film as early as mid-2019.
The Hollywood Reporter is stating the film will be “darker and more experimental in tone and content” basically this will be as far as arthouse style a major studio like Warner Bros will go with a major brand like DC and has been described as a crime drama.
This solo film, as reported by Variety, won’t be affecting Jared Leto’s Joker in the DCU with the Oscar winner set to return in the Suicide Squad sequel and is also developing his own standalone film separate from Phillips/Phoenix’s Joker project.
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| IMAGE VIA CLAY ENOS/ WARNER BROS |
Furthermore, the US trade reports this Elseword story will be taking place in the 80s and will look like a gritty crime drama instead of the comic book movie.
Not only do I think this film will be fantastic, but also is a brilliant idea and I’m sure people on social media are moaning and bitching “why are we getting two joker films” “this is going to be confusing” blah, blah, blah.
The reason why I love this idea of these standalone alongside with a cinematic universe is WB/DC Films get to have their cake and eat it.
The DCU will be the major franchise films with big action and entertainment and then in these Elseworld films, we can get the dark and gritty movies that Tim Burton and more importantly Chris Nolan brought to audiences see. The type of films DC fans have been wanting to see in the cinematic universe.
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| IMAGE VIA WARNER BROS |
Either way, Warner Bros will be making their money back with this film and imagine if this does the same numbers as an IT or Game Night? Walter Hamada would be seen as a genius.
Finally, the fact the announcement was made now is I think Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix will be making an appearance during the Warner Bros Hall H presentation/panel next Saturday.
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