It appears that Joaquin Phoenix is gearing up to join the DC Universe with Variety hearing word that the ‘Inherent Vice’ and ‘The Master’ star is in talks for the untitled Joker origin movie that has Todd Phillips directing and Martin Scorsese producing.
The film, first announced back is August, aims to be a gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime drama set in early 1980s-era Gotham City, evoking the feel of Scorsese’s filmography from that era, films like ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Raging Bull.’
‘8 Mile’ and ‘The Fighter’ scribe Scott Silver is working with Phillips to tell the story of what it took for the green-haired psychotic anarchist to become a mastermind criminal.
As Variety points out, negotiations with the studio are not yet underway, but Phillips has made it clear that Phoenix is his top choice to play the Clown Prince of Crime.
The film wouldn’t be the actor’s first brush with the world of comic book movies, having previously been considered for role of Lex Luthor in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and the title role in Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange,’ but the actor ultimately passed on both parts.
Phoenix will next be seen starring alongside Rooney Mara in Garth Davis’ ‘Mary Magdalene.’ Davis, Phoenix and Mara will all attend a gala screening of the film at the Savoy Cinema on February 28th as part of the Audi Dublin International Film.