The Joker movie - starring Joaquin Phoenix (MOD: May contain Spoilers)

First official image of Pheonix as Joker has just been released...




I like the look, but have to laugh and agree with the 'No Gotham For Old Men' comments which are doing the rounds online.

Directed by Todd Phillips.

Due for release October 4th, 2019

S.M.B.

Had no idea this was in production. What an odd project.

S.M.B.

S.M.B. wrote: »

Had no idea this was in production. What an odd project.

It's odd considering the gargantuan mess which is currently DC/WB's big screen ventures. They don't know what they want to do apart from make billions of dollars with these characters. They can see their end, but appear to have no idea how to go about the means.

However, the idea of a stand-alone Joker movie does interest me, especially once it isn't Leto and that damaged Joker. Leto has good chops, but that SS movie and Joker interpretation has forever ruined him as Joker for me.

Pheonix seems to be cut from a similar cloth to other actors like Bale and Day Lewis, who absolutely devote themselves to a role. I love what he did with the iconic Johnny Cash in Walk The Line, I'm very interested to see what he does with this iconic fictional character.

My only reservation so far is the director Todd Phillips. Tbf, he directed one of my favourite comedies ever in Old School, but for a gritty Joker deconstruction I would prefer to see a more dramatic and reputable director in the genre brought in for this.

Also, the promo image above is one thing, but I really hope this Joker isn't just Anton Chigurh with a different name.

Here is some more general info about the movie, but story details are scarce so far...

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/joaquin-phoenix-joker-movie-release-date-1202877605/

pixelburp

So WB have thrown $55 million to Todd Phillips to make a Joker gangster / scorsece film; if they manage to keep a hands off approach it could be a way back into good graces. The mega blockbuster format wasn't sustainable or working and taking the opposite tactic might be the path forward. Keep the budgets under 100 million ala deadpool or jumanji

If WB can resist panicky reshoots seeing the first drafts - which tends to happen when studios give free reign to a creative team - it may be a profitable number (and if it's any good of course)

johnny_ultimate

Starring Joaquin Phoenix =
Directed by Todd Phillips =

S.M.B.

I'm assuming they've hired War Dogs Todd Philips and not Road Trip Todd Philips. I didn't particularly like War Dogs either and I don't see how it would indicate he could do a good Joker movie either.

JP Liz V1

Todd Phillips is an interesting choice as he is known for comedies

Robert De Niro is in talks to join

as a talk-show host who plays a part in driving Phoenix’s character to go mad and become the Clown Prince of Crime. According to insiders, the script has ties to De Niro’s film “King of Comedy,” about a failing comedian (De Niro) who kidnaps a popular talk-show host to gain fame. In this case, the roles would be reversed, with De Niro playing the smug host

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/joker-joaquin-phoenix-first-look-photo-1202943732/

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Hercule Poirot

I think, with the right script, Phoenix can do this - he was born to play damaged individuals

And ironically, when Ledger was cast as the Joker by Nolan I had a nerd fit, mainly because I was only familiar with his teen romance films like 10 Things..... was very pleased to be totally and utterly wrong

Even when Leto was cast in SS I reserved judgement because sometimes, only sometimes as evidenced by SS, the actor will nail it

Klonker

Joaquin Phoenix is probably the best character actor there is at the moment and I dont think he'd sign up without being sold on the story by the director so I have high hopes for this.

Slydice

I swear, this was literally what I heard on first impression

pixelburp

pixelburp wrote: »

So WB have thrown $55 million to Todd Phillips to make a Joker gangster / scorsece film; if they manage to keep a hands off approach it could be a way back into good graces. The mega blockbuster format wasn't sustainable or working and taking the opposite tactic might be the path forward. Keep the budgets under 100 million ala deadpool or jumanji

If WB can resist panicky reshoots seeing the first drafts - which tends to happen when studios give free reign to a creative team - it may be a profitable number (and if it's any good of course)

I agree with the rest of your post, and on the Scorsese thing - That's what I would expect them to do. However, I was thinking more like Goodfellas or Casino-style Scorsese, not

The King of Comedy

...

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Todd Phillips is an interesting choice as he is known for comedies

Robert De Niro is in talks to join

as a talk-show host who plays a part in driving Phoenix’s character to go mad and become the Clown Prince of Crime. According to insiders, the script has ties to De Niro’s film “King of Comedy,” about a failing comedian (De Niro) who kidnaps a popular talk-show host to gain fame. In this case, the roles would be reversed, with De Niro playing the smug host

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/joker-joaquin-phoenix-first-look-photo-1202943732/

That's really interesting. I happen to love that movie in the spoilers, and feel that some of its themes are even more relevant today.

However, similar to 'I hope this isn't just Joker as Anton Chigurh', I really hope that this isn't just a remake of

The King of Comedy

with a different ending.

Here is some leaked set-footage. Apparently, Joker's name before he becomes Joker will be

Arthur Fleck

, so I guess that's who we're looking at in this video. Todd Phillips originally released the Joaqer image on his Instagram with the name

Arthur

in the text.

Wow, a lot more information in this article which might be too much for some people looking to remain completely spoiler-free. No deaths or anything like that, but plot points and casting news about specific roles, enough info to guess what kind of way they're going to go with this Joker origin.

http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/the-joker/267177/joker-movie-cast-release-date-story-plot-news

Todd Phillips wrote the script with a guy called Scott Silver whose other writing credits include The Fighter, The Finest Hours and 8 Mile. That's a mixed enough bag, still though, it's nowhere near as ominous as Akiva Goldsmith adapting my beloved Dark Tower book series.

Going back to Scorsese for a moment, he is actually on board for this movie as producer. I know it's early but I'm getting strong vibes that this will be a mixture of

The Killing Joke and the King of Comedy

It could be good if done right. Given his hand in the story and direction, Todd Phillips is the wildcard though and will make or break this movie.*

*Given that WB give him full creative control, or don't David Ayer him. I suspect that since this is not a movie to launch or save an extended universe and that the budget is 'only' $50m, there is a chance the studio execs might let the creatives do their thing.

TerrorFirmer

War Dogs was OK, but I'll never be able to overlook the absolute mess he made of Hangover 3 in trying to create a thriller-comedy-drama....

GavRedKing

The first images I seen of this, considering I ddint know anything about it until last night, Phoenix looked very like Day Lewis, I had to do a double take.

correction

Todd Phillips is such an unlikely, this can't work type director choice that you know it'll end up working brilliantly to everyones surprise.

And Joaquin Phoneix seems the absolute perfect choice for this. The only other actor that comes to mind to play The Joker, and this could still happen in actual Batman movies, is Paul Dano. Always felt he was certain to play The Joker at some point.

McLoughlin

His name is Arthur Fleck ? as in A Fleck aka Afleck as in Affleck

Ethereal Cereal

McLoughlin wrote: »

His name is Arthur Fleck ? as in A Fleck aka Afleck as in Affleck

Thats one of the more bizarre things about this movie.
That was surely intentional...

Gwynplaine

I always thought Christian Slater would make a great Joker.
Leto's Joker should be erased from history, absolutely terrible.

Ipso

Prior to Ledgers annoncement for the Dark Knight, Phoenix along with Kiefer Sutherland were the actors I would have liked to see get the role.
Very interested in how this goes.

HandsomeBob

https://twitter.com/wbpictures/status/1043184618160021505?s=19

Looks promising. Surprised at how old school the make up is, almost Romero like in its simplicity.

smurf492

HandsomeBob wrote:

Looks promising. Surprised at how old school the make up is, almost Romero like in its simplicity.

Like the simplicity but too early to be releasing final joker look... Goes well with the footage of the other clown

pixelburp

Wasn't what I was expecting but then it's a marked improvement on the Leto Joker for sure *shudder*

The thought also occurs that if this has a mere 55 million budget, potentially there won't be AS much post production, so we might see a trailer sooner than normal.

JP Liz V1

HandsomeBob wrote: »

https://twitter.com/wbpictures/status/1043184618160021505?s=19

Looks promising. Surprised at how old school the make up is, almost Romero like in its simplicity.

Looks like Billy Crudup as Joker

Ipso

So, what kind of person if he pre-joker? Small time criminal who gets worked over and snaps or just a nobody who snaps?

CatFromHue

Seems weird seeing Phoenix in the role as he's someone who doesn't like doing promo for films and I'd imagine there'd be quite a bit of that for this film.

PTH2009

So is this the same joker as Heath Ledgers one or a completely separate one ???

Going to be really confusing if Jared Letos one gets his own movie

Agent Coulson

More Jack Joker to me.

smurf492

smurf492 wrote:

Like the simplicity but too early to be releasing final joker look... Goes well with the footage of the other clown

PTH2009 wrote:

So is this the same joker as Heath Ledgers one or a completely separate one ???

Get over the whole heath joker thing... It is 1980s separate

smurf492

Agent Coulson wrote:

More Jack Joker to me.

. More of Jack would be awesome. Ledgers joker wouldnt have most of the plaudits had he not died

fritzelly

So this is Joaquin Pheonix being Joaquin Pheonix - just don't see the point of a Joker prequel
Joker is supposed to be a little bit mysterious and Joaquin Pheonix does not do it for me - always struck me as very much a method actor and had some great roles but this role is not that type but will await with baited breath that it is something spectacular but the clown preview looks pretty crass tbh. Hoping that makeup is a fake else is just a copy cat.

smurf492 wrote: »

. More of Jack would be awesome. Ledgers joker wouldnt have most of the plaudits had he not died

I didn't care he died, barely knew the actor - just thought he played this maniacal psychotic character to a tee and the film was more than just the character

tigger123

smurf492 wrote: »

. More of Jack would be awesome. Ledgers joker wouldnt have most of the plaudits had he not died

Would strongly disagree with that. By any measure, it's an outstanding performance and stands on its own two feet.

tigger123

Providing the reviews aren't terrible I'll definitely go see this in the cinema. Looks and sounds interesting so far.

TheValeyard

This could be very interesting indeed

AidoEirE

tigger123 wrote: »

Would strongly disagree with that. By any measure, it's an outstanding performance and stands on its own two feet.

Was an outstanding superhero film at the time, still holds up well. If its ever on tv i make sure to watch it. Although Nolan has his critics he treated the series brilliantly and set a great tone throughout.

I'm excitied for Phoenix, brilliant semi-underated actor imo. Rarely has a bad film so wouldn't of took on the project if it wasn't right, so im optimistic

McDermotX

AidoEirE

McDermotX wrote: »

The second picture on the background looks like the clown masks they used for the openong of the dark knight.

fritzelly

Those pics look very Dark Knightesque

HandsomeBob

This is great.... I thought we'd be lucky to get an end scene with him in make up. Delighted Phoenix was willing to embrace the character this much.

irish_stevo815

fritzelly wrote: »

Those pics look very Dark Knightesque

My head cannon says this is already an origin story of Ledgers Joker.

Does look very similar.

Corholio

Really looking forward to this. Phoenix will put everything in to it as he does all his roles, and I think it could potentially be something really interesting. Definitely one of the best actors alive imo.

yourdeadwright

Corholio wrote: »

Really looking forward to this. Phoenix will put everything in to it as he does all his roles, and I think it could potentially be something really interesting. Definitely one of the best actors alive imo.

I agree he is brilliant ,
But with the Joker it could possible be to early , Ledger performance was amazing people saying he only got credit cause he died are stupid, He played Joker amazingly, it was perfect he was deranged and manic and had no reasoning with , He got the character of the joker perfect

pixelburp

I don't doubt Phoenix will bring some essence of malevolent eccentricity to the role, but the real needle to thread here will be what the narrative is going for. If they overplay the idea of 'sympathetic' joker, turned to evil by circumstance or fate, it would do the character a disservice. But then Joker also only works with Batman as the conceptual, emotional foil - without the latter it's hard to see what other angle you take.

AidoEirE

yourdeadwright wrote: »

I agree he is brilliant ,
But with the Joker it could possible be to early , Ledger performance was amazing people saying he only got credit cause he died are stupid, He played Joker amazingly, it was perfect he was deranged and manic and had no reasoning with , He got the character of the joker perfect

Agreed, i mean ledger died well after the movie was rekeased. I remember leaving the cinema thinking what a ****ing performance that was by him. He was still alive then, him dying had no reference on what i had seen.

correction

I would hope this movie would be Taxi Driver like.

KERSPLAT!

AidoEirE wrote: »

Agreed, i mean ledger died well after the movie was rekeased. I remember leaving the cinema thinking what a ****ing performance that was by him. He was still alive then, him dying had no reference on what i had seen.

Movie was released in July and Ledger died the January before if I'm not mistaken?

Edit;

"Ledger died on January 22, 2008, some months after the completed filming and six months before the film's release from a toxic combination of prescription drugs, leading to intense attention from the press and movie-going public."

SnakePlissken

AidoEirE wrote: »

Agreed, i mean ledger died well after the movie was rekeased. I remember leaving the cinema thinking what a ****ing performance that was by him. He was still alive then, him dying had no reference on what i had seen.

Heath Ledger, died 22 January 2008
The Dark Knight, released July 25, 2008

yourdeadwright

SnakePlissken wrote: »

AidoEirE wrote: »

Agreed, i mean ledger died well after the movie was rekeased. I remember leaving the cinema thinking what a ****ing performance that was by him. He was still alive then, him dying had no reference on what i had seen.

Heath Ledger, died 22 January 2008
The Dark Knight, released July 25, 2008

Your correct he died before the release, I for one still think he was amazing and as perfect as someone could play the joker,

Check out on YouTube Tom wails interview its supposedly what inspired Ledger on the voice to use,

D3V!L

What the name change ? Doesn't make any sense unless they're trying to say that Jack Napier isn't the first "Joker" !!

AidoEirE

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Movie was released in July and Ledger died the January before if I'm not mistaken?

Edit;

"Ledger died on January 22, 2008, some months after the completed filming and six months before the film's release from a toxic combination of prescription drugs, leading to intense attention from the press and movie-going public."

Had a feeling it would of been something like that, should of done a quick google there myself befotre posting.

Still though, it hadn't affected me about the performance he did. I've yet to see a 'bad guy' performance such as ledgers in a superhero film that is on par. It deserves plaudits not because he died or what not, but because it was genuinely brilliant.

I think Pheonix could pull off a stomper of a movie here. Really curious on how they'll portray the joker.

With affleck leaving the batman gig, could be a way to introduce someone else into the role, like an end scene credit kinda thing

nix

AidoEirE wrote: »

With affleck leaving the batman gig, could be a way to introduce someone else into the role, like an end scene credit kinda thing

The vibe im getting with this is that it will be stand alone and not connected to any other movie. I can't see an actor like Phoenix reprising the role, especially in the current justice league train wreck universe.