"Put on a happy face"
When it was first announced that Joaquin Phoenix was set to star in a solo Joker movie it was met with surprise and some derision.
It didn't seem necessary.
Hadn't Jared Leto now taken the mantle of the 'Clown Prince.' ? NOPE.
Anyone who saw Suicide Squad felt that the 'Jester of Genocide' sized hole left by the magnificent Heath Ledger would never be filled.
And then we saw this...
Directed by Todd Phillips, the man behind Old School, and The Hangover Trilogy among others, this is a dark psychological trip. He said he was inspired by Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The King of Comedy when making this movie.
I suppose it makes sense that Phoenix would be so drawn to the character when he had his own sojourn into the recesses of his mind when he released I'm Still Here in 2010 ...yeah remember that?? If not best leave it where it is.
However this looks bleakly incredible.
Set in 1981 it follows the descent of failed stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck (failed comic...OUCH he's gonna be a b*tch) to become the eventual prime nemesis of Batman.
Looking physically contorted and with a David Fincher level of suffocation this could take the Heath Ledger baton and take the Joker back to the top of the DC universe.
Only question now is...Who will be the new Caped Crusader and when will their first movie together come out!!!?
The poster is sublime:
