The rumors of Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix stepping into the shoes of the DC iconic villain Joker for an origin movie has finally started to take shape. Warner Bros has given an official go to the Joker origin movie

The report comes from The Hollywood Reporter which also states that the Joker origin film will start shooting in New York this September.

The yet to be titled film will be directed by the Hangover fame director Todd Phillips who has also co-written the film’s script with Scott Silver (8 Mile). The studio has described the film as “exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale.”

As per the report, Phoenix has been finalized to star as Batman’s iconic arch-nemesis in the villain origin story. The film is expected to have a budget of around $55 million which is significantly lower than the budgets allotted to most superhero films. Phoenix’s Joker movie is rumored to be released under a new DC banner that would be completely separate from the already established DC cinematic universe.

Actor Jared Leto played the Clown Prince of Crime onscreen in 2016’s Suicide Squad. Leto will not only be back for the Suicide Squad sequel, but he will also essay the iconic villain’s role in Warner Bros. another standalone Joker origin movie that will be separate from Phoenix’s project.

Set in the 1980s against the backdrop of a gritty Gotham City underworld, the Warner Bros.’ upcoming Joker origin movie will portray the clown as a failed comedian. It will likely dig deep into how the comedian turned into a crime prince.

Emma Tillinger Koskoff (The Wolf of Wall Street) is producing Todd Phillips Joker origin stand-alone, while Richard Baratta is an executive producer.

The film currently doesn’t have a release date yet. But, it is expected that the movie could be ready for release as early as late 2019.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter