Joaquin Phoenix is in talks to play the Clown Prince of Crime in Warner Bros. and Todd Phillips untitled Joker movie, according to Variety. Studio negotiations are not yet underway, but Phillips has made it clear that Phoenix is his top choice for the role, and sources tell Variety that after thinking it over, Phoenix has agreed. WB had no comment. Phillips is on board to co-write and direct the movie, and he met with Phoenix about the role before the new year. Insiders say that Jared Leto, who starred in Suicide Squad as the Joker, is still on board as the character in the DC universe. Phoenix’s character has no effect on what happens with Leto’s character in future DC films. Phillips’ movie, meanwhile, would fall under a yet-to-be-announced new banner of DC Comics, so the studio can expand the canon of the comic-book characters with story angles that aren’t already included in its current cinematic universe. The new movie will delve into what it took for the Joker to become a mastermind criminal. According to Variety’s sources, the movie will take place int he 80s and will be more of a gritty crime drama than a comic book movie.
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
