'Joker': Release date, plot, cast, trailers, news and everything else you need to know about the Joaquin Phoenix starrer
Joker is one of the most iconic villains in the superhero universe - one that intrigues the curiosity of every DC fan, or even a DC Universe critic. After teasing DC fans for the longest time, director Todd Phillips offered a quick sneak peek into the film 'Joker' at CinemaCon on Tuesday.
With 'Joker', DC brings a dedicated look to the Batman villain, and Warner Bros. unveiled the teaser-trailer online on Wednesday.
Release date
Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role is scheduled to be released by Warner Bros. Pictures on October 4, 2019.
Plot
Todd Phillips's take on the iconic Batman villain is set in the 80s. The film tells the story of Arthur Fleck (played by Phoenix) as a failed stand-up comedian, who turns to a life of crime and chaos and becomes a psychopathic criminal after failing to be a hit with audiences.
Perhaps the film's intention can be perfectly summed with Warner Bros.' official announcement, which describes the Joker origin story as "an exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale".
As opposed to modern films based on comic books, Joker is intended to be a standalone film telling the story of Joker with no sequels, no crossover - at least at the moment. However, Warner Bros. hopes to launch a line of DC Comics-based films with a darker, more experimental material, which is similar to comic imprints like DC Black Label and Elseworlds.
Cast
Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker
Phoenix plays a failed stand-up comedian, who, disregarded by society, is driven insane and becomes a psychotic criminal mastermind. Quick fact: Phoenix is the seventh actor to portray Joker in a theatrical film.
Phoenix won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his 2006 film 'Walk the Line'. He was nominated for best actor for The Master (2013), Her (2014) and Inherent Vice (2015). Before Phoenix was cast as Joker (2019), Leonardo DiCaprio was being considered for the role.
Robert De Niro as a talk show host
Robert De Niro requires no introduction. Most known for his role in Martin Scorsese's psychological thriller 'Taxi Driver', for which he earned Academy Award nominations, De Niro's contribution to quality entertainment never ceases to awe audiences. His portrayal of gangster Jimmy Conway in 'Goodfellas' (1990) and black comedy 'The King of Comedy' (1983), both Scorsese films, earned him BAFTA Award nominations.
Interestingly, a lot of people are finding connections between Scorsese and De Niro's movies 'Taxi Driver' and 'The King of Comedy' and 'Joker'.
Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond
Playing a cynical single mother and Arthur's love interest is Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond. She is known for her role as Vanessa Keefer on the FX dramedy series 'Atlanta' - for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She garnered acclaim for her role in 'Deadpool 2' - being nominated for Choice Award for Choice Summer Movie Actress.
Director Todd Phillips
Director, producer and actor Todd Phillips is best known for writing and directing films including The Hangover Trilogy [Hey Phillips, only the first part was worth it!], 'War Dogs', 'Road Trip', and 'Due Date'. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on the film 'Borat'.
Trailers
Joker's trailer has people mesmerized at the dark telling of the iconic villain's story. The two and a half minute-long trailer offers an insight into life in Gotham and the trials and tribulations Phoenix's Arthur had to face before he becomes the ruthless Joker.
Arthur wants to spread joy and laughter in the world, but Gotham has other plans.
A new trailer was released for the movie on August 28 giving us some additional insight into Arthur Fleck’s madness. He struggles to be good in a world that seems determined to stamp out everything positive in him.
At one point, Arthur tells his disinterested therapist that all he has are negative thoughts. There are hints that the Joker will become something bigger than just Arthur in the film. It seems Arthur's actions in the movie, whatever they are, will set off a movement of sorts. There are multiple people shown wearing clown masks throughout the trailer, including a group of protesters holding up signs saying, “We are all clowns.”
News
It is now confirmed that Todd Phillips' upcoming 'Joker' movie is going to be R-rated. The director took to Instagram to tease that he is putting finishing touches to the movie. He shared a new behind-the-scenes image of Joaquin Phoenix from the sets. The duo is taking the character of Joker in a new direction and making something which is not been seen before.
There were many who had already called the movie getting a R rating, but now the director has confirmed it. After posting the behind-the-scenes image of Phoenix, a fan asked to know the rating of 'Joker'.
"It will be rated R. I've been asked this a lot. Just assumed people knew. Sorry."
Where to watch
The film is scheduled to hit theatres on October 4, 2019.