Joker – Everything You Need To Know About The DC Spin-Off

Looking for a way to truly distinguish their output from the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, Warner Bros and DC aren't just sticking to their DCEU output. As an aside to that inter-connected universe, we're also getting an alternate stand-alone take on one of the most iconic villains of all time. Here's what we know so far about Joker, set to put a unique spin on the backstory for the Clown Prince Of Crime.

Who Is Directing Joker?

Todd Phillips, a man more known for the comedic likes of the Hangover films and Old School, is going for something very much out of his usual wheelhouse with this. He might sound like an odd choice to be making a non-superhero superhero movie, but having co-written the script with The Fighter's Scott Silver, he's clearly got a vision for the film.

What's the idea behind the film?

According to Phillips, this one aims to eschew the usual effects-heavy, good vs-evil costumed punch-a-thon, instead looking into the mind of one man whose life experiences warp him into what we know as the Joker. The co-writer/director is on record as describing this as the story of a “man disregarded by society,” in a narrative the studio considers both a “gritty character study” and a “broader cautionary tale.” The idea is to make a crime-focused story that comes in for a thrifty $55 million budget. That push for grittiness hasn't been working for everyone, mind...

Who's Playing The Joker?

Joaquin Phoenix, an actor who hasn't yet taken on a comic book-based role (he was rumoured for Doctor Strange for a while, but that never panned out), plays Arthur Fleck – an unremarkable man set to morph into something else entirely on his way to becoming The Joker; a wannabe comic whose career ambitions are thwarted.

What's The Story?

Phillips and his team aren't saying a lot about the specifics for the plot, looking to keep those largely under wraps (even if we can guess where it's all headed, particularly when you see images of Phoenix in make-up). We do know that Arthur has a run-in with a talk show host, and that we'll meet both his mother and a potential love interest.

Who Else Is In The Cast?

The big name here is Robert De Niro who, like Phoenix has avoided superhero fare. As the story itself sounds a little like De Niro's own The King Of Comedy, he'll play the Gotham City chat show host who crosses paths with Arthur. Given what happens, we're guessing their interaction does not go well.

And the cast will feature someone who has done rather well in a superhero movie, as Deadpool 2's Zazie Beetz will play Sophie Dumond, described as a single mother who forms a connection with Arthur. Here's hoping she manages to survive it. Also along for the ride? Frances Conroy, as Arthur's mother, Penny; Marc Maron as Ted Marco, the talent agent for the show hosted by De Niro; Shea Whigham and Bill Camp as Gotham police officers; and Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne, father of a certain Bruce...

Will Joker Connect With Batman And The DC Movie Universe?

As far as the DC Movie Universe goes: no, Joker is completely separate. And in terms of the comics, there's not much crossover there either. “We didn’t follow anything from the comic-books, which people are gonna be mad about,” Phillips toldEmpire. “We just wrote our own version of where a guy like Joker might come from. That’s what was interesting to me. We’re not even doing Joker, but the story of becoming Joker. It’s about this man.”

Nevertheless, the film will have a Bruce Wayne, albeit one still a youngster, as Dante Pereira-Olso scored that role and Douglas Hodge is playing Alfred Pennyworth.

The aforementioned Thomas Wayne, meanwhile, makes an appearance in a decidedly different form than usual. Described as a Trump-like businessman, he sounds quite disparate from the standard philanthropist doctor whose death along with his wife helps spur young Bruce into his vigilante life. Alec Baldwin was reportedly up for the role before Cullen stepped in.

When Is Joker Released?

Joker will be grinning its way into UK cinemas on 4 October 2019. For much more information, check out the August 2019 issue ofEmpire.