DC Films is looking to make a new series of films that are not connected to their main universe of heroes and it looks like a big star is in talks to join a new project.
According to Variety, actor Joaquin Phoenix is in talks to play the Joker in a new origin film from director Todd Phillips. Phoenix is known for his eclectic roles in films like Walk the Line, Gladiator, I’m Still Here, The Master and the upcoming You Were Never Really Here. This isn’t the first superhero movie role that Phoenix has been considered for. He was in the running to play Doctor Strange at one point and was considered for the role of Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Phillips and Scott Silver will co-write the script that will delve into the circumstances that create the Clown Prince of Crime and the steps he takes to get to the top of the criminal underworld. Todd Phillips is the director of The Hangover movies, Old School, Due Date and the recent Jonah Hill movie War Dogs. He has made it clear that Phoenix is his first choice to play the character ahead of official studio negotiations.
Jared Leto previously played The Joker in Suicide Squad and is still on board as the character in that universe of films. Phoenix will star in a standalone separate from the DC Films connected universe of movies.
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