Joker (2019)

Joker is an upcoming American crime film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is intended to be the first film in a series of DC-based films separate from the shared DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay he wrote with Scott Silver, and stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, along with Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais, and Shea Whigham. In Joker, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and becomes a psychopathic criminal.

Phoenix had been interested in a low budget character study-type film about a comic book villain since 2014. After deciding to deemphasize the shared nature of the DCEU, Warner Bros. and DC Films announced plans for a Joker-centered film in August 2017, with Phillips directing and producing, as well as co-writing with Silver. Martin Scorsese was also attached to produce, although he dropped out in July 2018 and was replaced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff. Principal photography began in September 2018 in New York City, and is scheduled to eventually move to Jersey City and Newark.

Joker is scheduled to be released on October 4, 2019.

Plot
During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City, as an unhinged and maniacal mass-murdering criminal known as "The Joker."

Cast
A cynical single mother and Arthur's love interest. Beetz, who is a "huge fan" of Phoenix, has said it is "an honor" to work with him. Additionally, Bill Camp, Josh Pais, Shea Whigham, Bryan Callen, and Douglas Hodge have been cast in undisclosed roles.
 * Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck: A failed stand-up comedian disregarded by society who is driven insane and becomes a psychopathic criminal mastermind. Phoenix is the seventh actor to portray the Joker in a film; prior to his casting, Leonardo DiCaprio had been considered. Phoenix had been interested in a low-budget "character study" of a comic book character and his agent recommended that he set up a meeting with Warner Bros. to discuss, but he ultimately declined. Phoenix later became interested when the project was announced, stating, "It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe ... It might as well be the thing that scares you the most". Phoenix lost a considerable amount of weight in preparation.
 * Robert De Niro as a talk show host
 * Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond:
 * Frances Conroy as Penny Fleck: Arthur's mother.
 * Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne: A billionaire philanthropist traditionally depicted as the father of Bruce Wayne, who years later becomes the Joker's archenemy Batman. Unlike the source material, he plays a role in the Joker's origins and is less sympathetic than traditional incarnations. Alec Baldwin was initially cast in the role, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
 * Glenn Fleshler as a comedian
 * Marc Maron as an agent