Joaquin Phoenix Has Agreed to Play The Joker in a Martin Scorsese-Produced Origin Movie

‘The Hangover’ director Todd Phillips is already attached.

Steve Huff

Feb 9, 2018

Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight — L: The Dark Knight R: I'm Still Here

This sounds like fun: Martin Scorsese is producing a Todd Phillips-directed DC Origins movie about The Joker, and Phillips’s first choice for the role is Joaquin Phoenix.

Phoenix has a rep for playing strange, complicated characters. That includes a rapping, wasted, Unabomber beard-wearing version of himself in the Casey Affleck mockumentary, I’m Still Here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz6CU7pgiKc

While Variety reported that no one’s at the negotiating table yet, a Metro report states Phoenix has “agreed” to play the Clown Prince of Crime.

Fans and haters of Jared Leto’s Joker from Suicide Squad should know that Leto isn’t affected by this move. The still-untitled movie will reportedly be a standalone production. Fans of Leonardo DiCaprio will be disappointed—though he was originally in the running, reports indicate that’s a non-starter.

Social media reactions seem pretty positive. This is probably due to Phoenix’s intense reputation as an actor who never does a half-ass job in a role, no matter how bad the script.

BREAKING: Joaquin Phoenix is in talks to play the Joker in Todd Phillips' standalone JOKER movie. Love this choice. One of the best actors of our time. pic.twitter.com/3GtZksM6kN

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) February 8, 2018

I JUST SEEN THAT JOAQUIN PHOENIX IS THE JOKER AND THIS IS PERFECT

— Riza Hawkeye 🌙 🎮: Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth 🗡🌌 (@_virgindirt) February 9, 2018

https://twitter.com/FreddyInSpace/status/961675831620796422

Everyone here hating the idea of a Joker film. Phoenix is one of the greatest actors of our time and we'd be so lucky to have him portray Joker.
And yes, I want Jason Todd film more than anyone (duh), but I'm taking what I can.

— Skye Blank (@theskybandit) February 9, 2018

As several reports pointed out, Phoenix has backed out of roles in other comic book movies, such as Doctor Strange. Let’s hope he hangs on this time. If there was ever an actor who could totally own such an insane role, he’s the man.

h/t Variety, Metro