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Standalone Joker movie gets title, release date plus news about Robert DeNiro and Frances McDormand’s involvement in the movie…

July 19th, 2018 by Marc Comments

So only a few days ago we learned that the standalone Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix is officially happening and today we have loads of details on it.

We have news on why Phoenix took the role, what is Robert DeNiro and Frances McDormand’s involvement? When will we see it and what is the official title, so stick with us until the end, you’ll want to know this stuff.

How exactly did Phoenix become involved in the role? After all, Jared Leto is still the DC Cinematic Universe’s Joker, so why would a new actor want to take on a role being played next door by someone else?

“I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I’m gonna work on always,” Phoenix said.

“So, in some ways, the process, which is obviously reading a script and meeting a filmmaker and then continuing to have meetings and discussions with [director] Todd [Phillips]. I think he’s very impressive and he seems to have a very interesting understanding of this world and what he’s trying to say. And so there is something very appealing about that and working with him on this particular project. It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the f#@king sh#t out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.”

Funny enough, Phoenix suggested a movie like The Joker to his agent a few years ago. So he was very interested when he learned that director Todd Phillips was working on something like it.

The actor believes the movie, as cliche as it sounds, will be unlike anything you’ve seen before: “I wouldn’t quite classify this as like any genre. I wouldn’t say it’s a superhero movie, or a studio movie or a … It feels unique, and I think more then anything, and probably the most important thing, is Todd seems very passionate about it and very giving, and so that’s exciting. I think, underneath the excitement of these films, and the size of them, there are these incredible characters that are dealing with real life struggles. And sometimes that is uncovered and exposed, and sometimes it isn’t, and so I always felt, like, there were characters in comics that were really interesting and deserve the opportunity to be kind of studied. And so I think that’s what Todd sees appealing about this idea.”

 

While we have issues with a Joker movie taking place outside the universe DC have already set up with Man of Steel, Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman and Justice League, we are very excited to see this take on the character… and we already have a couple of ideas about how this could still loosely connect to the other movies.

But that’s another post altogether.

In related news, Frances McDormand, who is one of the coolest actresses to ever appear on screen, has turned down playing The Joker’s mom; Warners want a “name” actor for the role.

Joker’s mum? Huh… that’s new.

But, on the topic of parents, how about this:

Rumours were abound a while ago that Robert DeNiro was potentially set to appear in the movie, but here’s the latest on that:

As for De Niro’s role, I don’t think he’s playing some canon type character. I don’t think he’s playing like a local TV host or something like that, who’s maybe broadcasting about the Joker. I’m not entirely sure. I do know that one character who’s going to have a big role in this is Thomas Wayne.

Thomas Wayne? Joker’s mum? Robert DeNiro? Frances McDormand!? What sort of movie is this going to be? Whatever it is, we’re totally in!

As for the movie itself, Warners have confirmed it’ll be heading for the Halloween slot next year, aiming for am October 4th, 2019 release date.

And as for the name… it’ll be called simply: Joker.

 

Sources: Collider, Batman news and Heroic Hollywood

Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….