Last year it was announced that Warner Bros were working on a stand-alone film about Batman’s nemesis The Joker. It’s to be directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover) and be produced by none other than Martin Scorsese. Needless to say, DC fans were excited.
Of course, the film will live or die on the casting of the Clown Prince of Crime. Many would argue that no one would ever be able to live up to Heath Ledger’s iconic take on the character in The Dark Knight, though there have been many beloved versions of The Joker – including Jack Nicholson in the 1989 Batman, Mark Hammill as the voice actor for the 1990s cartoon and the Arkham videogames, and even Cesaro Romero’s over the top performance in the campy 1966 show. The less said about Jared Leto, the better, however.
Many actors were suggested by fans – including Leonardo DiCaprio, due to his long working relationship with Martin Scorsese. But now Variety is reporting that an actor is in talks to star in the film – and it’s a very exciting choice.
Joaquin Phoenix is the top choice to take the lead, and we think that’s a great idea.
Phoenix has shown in movies like Gladiator, Walk The Line and The Master that he has a fascinating, weird intensity that could provide a very unique take on The Joker.
He also memorably took a temporary break from acting in 2009 to become a ‘rapper’ – documented in the pseudo-documentary I’m Still Here – so he has experience is nonsensical Joker-like schemes.
