How many Joker movies is too many? And for that matter, how many active Jokers is too many? Warner Bros. is aiming to push that question further, flashing the greenlight for Todd Phillips' planned origin movie about the Clown Prince Of Crime, which will star Joaquin Phoenix.
The actor was mentioned as Phillips' choice for the role in February, with the film itself originally mooted back in August of last year. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Phoenix's deal is done and he's on board for a shoot that will kick off this coming September in New York.
This take on the Joker isn't part of the usual DC cinematic universe (where Jared Leto plays the character and has in fact scored his own standalone movie now in development). Phillips has described it as "an exploration of a man disregarded by society that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale." Which is the advantage, we suppose, of not having to tie-in to the larger canvas. And the film is being planned for a much smaller budget, spending around $55 million, which is considerably less than your average superhero adventure. Gritty costs less.
With Scott Silver as Phillips' co-writer on the script, the film doesn't have to aim at a release date right now, but it could be in cinemas next year if all goes to plan.
Keep up to date with all the latest movie news, click here to subscribe to Empire on Great Magazines and have the latest issue delivered to your door every month.