Robert De Niro in talks to join Joaquin Phoenix in Phillips’ Joker movie

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Just before the weekend, it was announced that DEADPOOL 2 star Zazie Beetz was in talks to join Joaquin Phoenix for Todd Phillips upcoming film JOKER, based on the notorious Clown Prince of Crime of DC Comics fame. Today, The Hollywood Reporter has printed an exclusive article stating that film legend Robert De Niro is in talks to join the movie as well. If De Niro boards the project, he's expected to play a a talk show host who contributes to the Joker’s origin in a major way.

Phillips' JOKER is expected to be "darker" than what we've seen in past films belonging to the DC Cinematic Universe. It's also been reported that the movie will be made using a more modest budget of around $55 million, which is considerably less than what the studio has shelled out for other tentpole offerings. The theory behind this approach is that you don't need major dollars to tell a grounded, character-driven story that delves into what makes the Joker one of pop culture's most terrifying and twisted villains. While plot details surrounding the film are scarce at this time, it's known that the story will take place in Gotham City during the 1980s. So far, the plan is for JOKER to be presented as a dramatic exploration of the Jester of Genocide, with Phillips looking to expose what makes him tick, and how one bad joke can change your whole life.

JOKER is expected to arrive in theaters October 4th, 2019.