The Joaquin Phoenix/Joker movie is actually happening. THR has confirmed that Phoenix will indeed be playing the clown-terrorist in an origin film directed and co-written by Todd Phillips. Shooting is supposed to begin this fall. Phoenix will follow in the footsteps of Caesar Romero, Jack Nicholson,, Heath Ledger, and Jared Leto (who must be royally pissed this is happening).
However, Leto will be happy to know that he won't be out of the picture. Variety reports that Leto “will not only be back for the "Suicide Squad" sequel [but] is also developing his own standalone movie that will be separate from Phoenix’s Joker project.” Jesus Christ. The WB sure has chutzpah. They're milking it all the way to the bank.
If it were up to me? I'd totally scrap the Leto projects and concentrate on Phoenix, who might just be the most talented actor to have ever partaken in this type of movie, and, yes, I am including Heath Ledger, whose legendary performance as The Joker in 2008's "The Dark Knight" will surely be very hard to beat.
Todd Phillips has been tasked in directing the Phoenix/Origin Joker flick. How did he manage to nab the job? I truly, for the life of me, have no clue. Yes, he did commendable work on "War Dogs," but Phillips' filmography consists of 95% comedy ("Frat House," "Road Trip," Old School," 'Starsky and Hutch," "School for Scoundrels," "The Hangover," "The Hangover II," "The Hangover III," and "Due Date.")
I guess the WB were vastly impressed by the action sequences in "War Dogs" to trust Phillips with such an important project. Hell, even Martin Scorsese is confident enough that he is set to be a producer on this film.
Boyle's answer was met with a shout of "Never do that shit again" from the crowd, and the TIFF moderator swiftly brought the Q&A to a close, thanking everyone for coming.