Deadline just shared the scoop that Warner Bros. and DC are working on another spinoff in the Batman universe, this one telling The Joker's origin story. But Jared Leto shouldn't clear his schedule, since this movie will feature a different -- and maybe younger -- actor in the role.
Here's that section of Deadline's report:
"I'm told that the intention is to make an origin story that isn't part of any other iteration. The Joker has memorably been part of two Batman movies in the form of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, and was most recently played by Jared Leto in the first 'Suicide Squad' film. He will reprise in the 'Suicide Squad' sequel and the Harley Quinn spinoff, but this new film will launch the character with a different actor, possibly younger."
It may raise your eyebrows to read that Martin Scorsese -- yes, the same -- is producing the film along with Todd Phillips ("The Hangover," "War Dogs"). Phillips is co-writing the script with Scott Silver ("8 Mile") and Phillips is also set to direct.
This Joker film is also meant to be under a new as-yet-unnamed banner separate from the DC Extended Universe, "in which WB can expand the canon of DC properties and create unique storylines with different actors playing the iconic characters."
Deadline added that this Joker origin story aims to be "a gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film set in early-'80s Gotham City that isn't meant to feel like a DC movie as much as one of Scorsese's films from that era, like 'Taxi Driver,' 'Raging Bull' or 'The King Of Comedy.' I'm told that Phillips and Silver are writing already, but there is nothing firm on where this will fit into the DC schedule."
So we don't have a cast, a filming schedule, or a premiere date. But what we do have are some early reactions from Twitter, which got "Joker" trending on Tuesday night:
A Joker origin movie is quite possibly the dumbest idea DC/WB have ever had, and that's saying a lot.
— M. Dylan (@OG_MDB) August 22, 2017
When you're excited to hear that Scorsese might be working on a Joker movie but then you find out that it would be directed by Todd Phillips http://pic.twitter.com/ifUoyFTJey
— Mark Birrell (@markwbirrell) August 22, 2017
I can see The Joker and The Penguin here. Now who would play The Riddler? http://pic.twitter.com/qSntD3699v
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) August 22, 2017
Me with everyone who's excited about the joker movie. http://pic.twitter.com/nqNaEzsHHi
— Rachael🌙 (@GovrnmtUnicorn) August 22, 2017
WE ALREADY HAD A JOKER ORIGIN MOVIE. IT STARRED JACK NICHOLSON! http://pic.twitter.com/c8hShZZ5Mi
— alientraveller (@CCTabet) August 22, 2017
NOOOO!!! 😠Leto already ruined him why are yall tryna give Joker a origin film https://t.co/Iy1OhY8Jzk
— #DrownedGod (@_idleThoughts) August 22, 2017
There are so many other BETTER DC stories to tell on the big screen. Out of all of them, WHY DOES A JOKER ORIGIN MOVIE make the cut?? C'mon!
— Rando Persona (@RandoPersona) August 22, 2017
So, a new The Joker movie:
— Daryl Bartley (@hypercubexl) August 22, 2017
✅Not Jared Leto
❓The dude who made The Hangover
⁉️Not in continuity with any other WB/DC movies
why? ? ? ??
You got to be F***ing kidding a #joker movie with a different actor... Choose one and deal with it http://pic.twitter.com/3cJM2IeSbV
— BAYA (@STEPH_BAYA) August 22, 2017
Between the Joker movie news and the Kyrie trade to Boston I don't know what to do with myself!!!! http://pic.twitter.com/u3angfKdZI
— JTE (@JTEmoviethinks) August 22, 2017
We are gonna get a joker movie before we get a flash movie aren't we http://pic.twitter.com/aO1Zb3IYvN
— sophie (@nightwinxg) August 22, 2017
The Scorsese/Joker news has hit me with so many different thoughts at once that I'm a little stuck right now.
— Alex Law (@Japeth321) August 22, 2017
I don't have much to add in the "Joker origin movie from Phillips and Scorsese" talks except that I think I know who'd be perfect for it: http://pic.twitter.com/EC0sPBshTp
— Matt Barone (@MBarone) August 22, 2017
This is an awful idea. One of the greatest aspects of the Joker is just how unknowable his past is. It makes him a force, rather than a man. https://t.co/rIvBTUR3EK
— Matt Johnson (@nova_mjohnson) August 22, 2017
There's literally a MULTITUDE of other characters that are far better than Joker is that I'd pay money to see and yet we're stuck w/this BS.
— A glass half full (@angelt18) August 22, 2017
" Todd Phillips to direct a Joker origins movie " http://pic.twitter.com/aQzWKdWClL
— autumn dream (@Kai_Roberts6) August 22, 2017
Since this is in the "early stages" we may have to wait a while for more updates.
[h/t: toofab]
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