The Joker Origins film, to be directed by Todd Phillips, will serve as a prequel to Christopher Nolan’s 2008 movie The Dark Knight. Or it was until yesterday.
A fake synopsis for the DC film was shared by Screen Rant revealing how The Joker, once a “well-meaning man”, came to become one of the most notorious criminals of all time.
“Twenty years before Batman saved the city in THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY, Gotham was a dangerous place. In the crime-ridden Narrows, one man tries to escape his unfortunate lot through a passion for theatrics and stand-up comedy. However, one bad day is all it takes in this city, and soon the well-meaning man has become the most dangerous criminal of all: The Joker.
Yes, you read that right: Scorsese’s Joker is actually part of Nolan’s Dark Knight universe. This had been rumored in film circles for the past couple of months, but no confirmation had been found until now. It’s worth pointing out – albeit of lesser importance – that this synopsis would seem to confirm that the film will be lifting heavily from The Killing Joke; “one bad day” is at the center of the Joker’s manic ramblings.
Todd Phillips, please don’t make your Joker movie connected to the Nolan-verse. We don’t need the backstory to Heath’ s Joker.
Leave the legacy alone. Leave the mystery alone.
I’m sure it will be awesome without piggy-backing on a prior series/interpretation.— Emperor Killjoy (@Emperor_Killjoy) April 1, 2018
So this big "Joker origin" Scorsese/Todd Phillips movie is actually a Prequel to The Dark Knight trilogy? …Interesting…. I know Joaquin Phoenix is rumored for the role, but 2008 me would be very intrigued. Just gonna leave this here for the higher ups at DC pic.twitter.com/iTFI3jyOV1
— Tom McKee (@TomMckeeSB) April 1, 2018
No actor has been confirmed to play The Joker in 1980s Gotham, but reports suggest Joaquin Phoenix may land the iconic role.
The Joker has memorably been part of two Batman movies with Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger portraying Batman’s arch nemesis, most recently played by Jared Leto in the first Suicide Squad film.
He will reprise his role in the Suicide Squad sequel and the Harley Quinn spin-off.
