As if Martin Scorcese executive producing a Joker origin story didn’t already pique our collective interests, news that iconic actor Robert De Niro is in talks to take on a prominent role really has us buzzing. If he comes on board, he’ll be joining Joaquin Phoenix who has already been retained to play the film’s titular villain, the “Clown Prince of Gotham”.
There’s no word on who De Niro will be playing, should he accept the assignment. In fact, precious little is known about the movie at all. Beyond the fact that it’s a Joker origin story, there have been hint that it will take place in the 1980s and will feature a gritty aesthetic. We’ll definitely be keeping our ears to the ground in order to bring you additional details as they emerge.
Todd Phillips will direct the Joker movie from a script he co-scribed with Scott Silver. No target release date has been announced, but we’ll keep you posted. Rumors suggest this Joker movie will exist outside the current DC multiverse and will not necessarily interfere will plans for another Joker movie featuring Jared Leto, reprising the character he played in Suicide Squad. Time will tell.
Words: Josh Millican (@josh_millican)