The Joker origin story standalone movie is moving ahead at DC and Warner Bros. with Joaquin Phoenix as the top choice for the lead role…
Joaquin Phoenix is now the top choice to play the Joker in the upcoming standalone feature film from director Todd Phillips that will be set apart from the current DC cinematic universe at Warner Bros.
Now it must be stated that while Phoenix is the top choice, he hasn’t made any deal yet to play the part and he has passed on a couple of superhero movies in the past including ‘Doctor Strange’ for Marvel as well as playing Lex Luthor in ‘Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice’.
Phillips is also on board to co-write the feature film alongside Scott Silver with rumors that the new Joker film may take place in the 1980’s and would serve as an origin story for the titular Batman villain.
Now this film will not bump up against any of the canon currently being created in the DC film universe so Jared Leto is still expected to return as the Joker in ‘Suicide Squad 2’, which is being directed by Gavin O’Connor.
The Joker film from Phillips is expected to be the first in this new offshoot series of films at DC and Warner Bros. that will serve as standalone movies telling their own stories that have nothing to do with the other projects in the works at the studio.
Prior to Phoenix becoming the top choice for the role, Leonardo DiCaprio had met with the director about potentially taking the role but ultimately no deal was ever reached.
Here’s a mockup of what Phoenix might just look like as the Joker from artist Bosslogic:
H/T: Variety
