The as-yet untitled upcoming Joker movie from Warner Bros is most definitely one of the most exciting films turning the wheels of production right now. The fact that Todd Phillips, who directed The Hangover, is said to be in charge, along with Martin Scorsese, as co-producer, and rumors that Academy Award-winner (finally!) Leornardo DiCaprio may be showing out as a lead character, have all combined to make for an intriguing scenario.
However, while the Phillips/Scorsese teams remains intact, it is now rumored that DiCaprio’s connection to the movie is no longer ongoing. It would seem that Joaquin Phoenix, another well-known talented A-list actor, may be stepping in the fill the role. As of yet, nonetheless, nothing has been written in stone and, furthermore, nothing has been confirmed.
In fact, Phoenix has done nothing to impede rumors, but makes things even more confusing instead by refusing to comment on the movie or even rather or not he’s planning on donning the Joker’s face. Reportedly, when the actor was asked about his possible upcoming portrayal of the Joker, he smiled most mischievously, not unlike he might were he to be playing the role, and replied that he didn’t know, but that the character could be an interesting one, but that he just didn’t know.
Additionally, with further prodding about the maybe-upcoming role, Phoenix just made things even more frustrating to those seeking an answer by saying that is was all super interesting, but that he had no idea “about this.” He also admitted there was nothing he could say about the subject. Odd way of phrasing, don’t you think? Perhaps he’s in contracted talks??? It seems we’ll all just have to wait and see.
Phoenix is one of A-list’s few actors who hasn’t already succumbed to legendary superhero status, but if he is cast as this film’s lead character, it may not be far from catching up to him. The secretive actor has been guardedly suspicious ever since it was reported that he had entered into talks concerning the film’s title role earlier in the year. However, his response to playing the Clown Prince of Crime is hardly an answer at all. Instead, it’s reminiscent of how one who has sworn to confidentiality would react upon being asked pointed questions; he seems to be barely keeping a secret while seemingly desperate to let it out as well.
Most definitely Phoenix’s unwillingness to confirm or deny rumors of his appearing as the Joker has only led to fanning the flames even further. No doubt the subject of who will don the painted Joker’s face is a hot commodity. Knowing who will step into the starring role is half of the excitement in imagining how the upcoming standalone movie will turn out.
Phoenix, who has been nominated for three Academy Awards, would decidedly make an interesting Joker. After all, he hasn’t been nominated all those times for nothing. The actor absolutely has the talent of bringing to life the bad-guy roles as he’s so successfully done so in the past. In this particular role, the film would follow how he’s transformed after a failed career as a stand-up comic into Gotham City’s most notorious villain. There’s no question of whether or not he can act the part, but whether or not he will. Guess we’ll find out eventually!
