Joaquin Phoenix in talks to play The Joker in standalone movie

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

This is not a joke! Joaquin Phoenix is in talks to play The Clown Prince of Crime in Warner Bros. standalone Joker film.

While negotiations for the role have yet to take place, director Todd Phillips is adamant about Phoenix remaining the top choice to star as arguably the greatest Batman villain ever created for his very own film. While WB has yet to release a comment about the deal, Variety is reporting that Phoenix has already agreed to the role.

The standalone Joker film would be a part of the DCEUs yet-to-be-announced slate of films set to expand upon the canon already established by films like WONDER WOMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, and SUICIDE SQUAD. It's also worth noting that Jared Leto is still in-line to reprise his role as The Joker the sequel for to SUICIDE SQUAD, which is set to be helmed by Gavin O'Connor (THE ACCOUNTANT).

Scott Silver will join Phillips as a co-writer on the film, which will delve into what it took for the Joker to become a mastermind criminal. Sources say the story will take place in the ’80s and have more of the look of a gritty crime drama than comic-book movie.

There's sure to be more to come as this news develops …