Joaquin Phoenix is reportedly in talks to play the Joker in an upcoming origin film focusing on the infamous DC Comics super villain.
Todd Phillips will co-write and direct the movie and although studio negotiations haven’t began, he already has his eyes set on Phoenix for the lead role, Variety exclusively reports. The “War Dogs” producer reportedly approached Phoenix about the role before the new year and he has now decided to accept.
(Photo credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
Like the modern Batman movies, the Joker film will fall under its own banner of DC Comics films, allowing for the writers to develop their own story lines inconsistent with what already exists about the character.
According to Variety the origin film, that is yet to be named, will take place in the 1980s and show how the Joker came to be the criminal mastermind that he is.
Sources close to the situation say that Phoenix accepting the role will have no effect on Jared Leto’s role in the “Suicide Squad” films.