Joaquin Phoenix in talks to play The Joker in standalone DC film

In 2017, there were rumblings of a Martin Scorsese-backed origin film for The Joker in the works. The film is set to be outside of the DC film universe that includes Justice League, Man of Steel, and Batman v Superman and will act similarly to the Elseworld stories in the comics, a one-off story.

At the time, Warner Bros. and director Todd Phillips were gunning for the legendary Leonardo DiCaprio to play the Clown Prince of Crime but it appears as the actor denied the offer from the studio and the team set their eyes on another great actor: Joaquin Phoenix. According to Variety, the acclaimed method actor will be one of the few actors who have gotten to portray the iconic Batman villain in the currently untitled origin film.

Variety also notes that Jared Leto is still indeed the main Joker in the DC film universe and that Phoenix will merely serve as the one-off Joker that WB is looking for. Supposedly after meeting with Phillips, Phoenix agreed to play the part and is the top choice for Phillips himself.

This won’t be the first time that Phoenix has considered tackling a comic-book role or a DC role as the actor was tapped to play Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman but ultimately passed and he walked away from an offer to play Doctor Strange for Marvel. That does bode well for the Joker film as it shows he’s not willing to just accept anything and maybe only wants to invest his time into things that have really good stories/scripts.

“When I was younger I was probably a bit of a snob about [taking on blockbuster roles]. But they’ve gotten better. I’ve flirted with several of those films, having meetings and getting close, but ultimately it never felt like they’d really be fulfilling. There were too many requirements that went against my instincts for character. I’ve been spoiled. I’ve never had to make those compromises. I’ve not met a director yet with one of those films where we go through the script, they say: “You know what, fuck this set-piece, let’s focus on the character!” I understand, but it’s best I don’t do it.” he said in an interview in 2015.

The film will reportedly be a gritty crime drama in the 1980s that shows us how the Joker came to be but it doesn’t sound like it’ll be the definitive origin of Jared Leto’s version of the character.

Leto is presumed to return to the role in Suicide Squad 2. We’ll continue to keep you updated if this story develops.