With incredibly big clown shoes to fill, Joaquin Phoenix is front and centre this fall in a portrayal that explores exactly how Gotham becomes home to one of the creepiest villains in comic book history.
While many still mourn for Heath Ledger and his awe-inspiring portrayal of the Joker in Batman’s The Dark Knight (2008), we’ll be treated to a movie focusing solely on the clown, answering a question that Batman fans have been wondering for 75+ years.
Who is the Joker?
Joaquin Phoenix has adamantly refused to don a superhero cape, but, perhaps fittingly for his wheel-house, Phoenix is set to explore the deeply-dark depths of the most
Four years ago, Phoenix explained why we would never see him in the comic book hero scene, despite constant requests for his talent.
Phoenix was tagged to act out some heavy hitters for the big screen, including Marvel’s The Avengers as Bruce Banner, Doctor Strange as Doctor Strange, and Batman vs. Superman (as Batman maybe?).
I’ve flirted with several of those films, having meetings and getting close, but ultimately it never felt like they’d really be fulfilling. There were too many requirements that went against my instincts for
character . I’ve been spoiled. I’ve never had to make those compromises. I’ve not met a director yet with one of those films where we go through the script, they say: ‘You know what, fuck this set-piece, let’s focus on the character!’ I understand, but it’s best I don’t do it.
Joaquin Phoenix
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Fan Reactions to Joker
Here’s what people are saying after discovering the teaser trailer for DC Comic’s Joker earlier today.
Are you putting on a happy face?
Joaquin Phoenix has joined an elite group of actors that could pull off various levels of crazy, from incorrigible, to downright savage.
Will you be first in line to discover the new Joker?
Celebrating Villainy
While witnessing the Joker’s origin story will undoubtedly be enlightening for those who’ve embraced and celebrated Batman lore; there is some trepidation of how this story will unfold.
This is not the first time that the Joker has been the centre of attention, and we’ve already discovered that sharing an admiration for a character that has stolen, manipulated, murdered, and possibly even raped is sketchy.
Especially when the #MeToo movement has so recently amassed solid strength on changing the status quo for gender equality across the globe, particularly in Hollywood.
The publication of this Joker variant cover for Batgirl #41, drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, as part of the 75th anniversary of Joker in 2015 never reached the shelves.
At the artist’s request, the print was cancelled
Considering there is a disturbing number of comic covers that depict the female form rather deplorably are published weekly, pulling this specific cover before it even reached the shelf is a testament of how poignant this reference to The Killing Joke was, and how irresponsible it would be to embrace the moment with a fanbase that was decidedly too young to have read that chilling story in the first place.
Telling Joker’s story will be akin to maintaining an erratic balance on a loose tight-rope for hours, over shark-jumping waters.
Did the producers, directors, cast and crew et al. behind Joker master the art of keeping the audience’s unwavering attention, while hopefully preserving discord for such a gross creature?
Join me in October to find out!
BTW, just discovered a comic panel that I need to find in print…
3 Responses
The Killing Joke was a seminal book for me. My mom got it for me as a Christmas gift when I was in highschool. It haunted me and sang to me. It made me hunt down other things by Alan Moore. I’ve read very convincing essays on why it’s a problematic book, how poisonous it was to take away Barbara Gordon’s agency. As a woman, I should be repelled by it, apparently. But I can’t. I love every panel of that damn book. (But the animation they made based on the book DID repel me. That fan service prequel bit where they turn Batgirl into a lovesick girlfriend to her mentor Batman… ugh. Yuck.)
Anyroad, that trailer has a very Alan Moore’s Joker feel to it for me. The world grinding you down, a true mental break… just one bad day…
And that part where hands are reaching through iron bars and pushing a young boys face into a smile — is that Bruce Wayne? That would be a lovely twist. That this is a film where we see no Batman at all. Just a Joker origin story, long before there was a Bat.
Love your article so much. Oh and that Tweet where the gent says he will stand up and applaud if it turns out that Joker’s mother’s name is Martha. I almost choked to death on my coffee when I read that one.
ohhh I had not seen the trailer yet, thanks for sharing! It looks like a fantastic movie, and love that they are telling some of the back story of the the Joker. I bet it is a story not many are familiar with.
I had not seen the tailer yet either. This is an awesome post Aeryn. Very informative. Thanks. My kids as you know are Marvel fans which makes us a family of Marvel fans. But this is a DC movie I would see. First on my own of course to determine if it is too terrifying for them. Joaquin Phoenix is an excellent skilled actor so seeing this casting and this role is important to me. He honestly could be better then all of the others who have played this character over the years but will reserve judgement for a bit. Adored Heath Ledger as an actor also but honestly have never seen him in his turn as the Joker because his sad death broke my heart and I can’t bring myself to watch it.