There’s much to be excited about the Joaquin Phoenix standalone Joker project. Director Todd Phillips has given us a lot to think about, and Warner Bros. has recently released a lot of information about the film.
At present, the release of the film will be October 4th, 2019. The film’s official title is simply Joker. Before his transformation the character’s name is allegedly going to be Arthur Fleck.
Both of these details, despite being very small, have me very excited. A clean, simple title like that gives the whole film a sense of gravity, and his alter ego couldn’t sound more innocent, or innocuous.
We’re all counting on Joaquin Phoenix to give us a layered and true performance of one of the most dangerous villains ever created.
The release date of October gives the film time to breathe, not buried under summer or winter blockbusters. It’ll be the fall outing comic book movie fans need for that year. There’s not been much information given about the production, which many sources claim will begin later this year. They have plenty of time to work on this project, and do it right.
Taking Direction
Director Todd Phillips, known for The Hangover Trilogy, and War Dogs knows how to make gritty, real world material appear less heavy – and even funny. I can’t deny Phillips knows how to lighten the tone of two buddy war-profiteers, but going into this film, I’m hoping the grit befitting an older Joker shines through.
When asked, the director said:
[The film] centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. [My] exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
This sounds deeply exciting. The idea of the Joker as an extreme social outcast resonates very deeply, and isn’t something I would’ve immediately thought of. He’s a rebel and a force of destruction, but it’s interesting to put new spins on beloved characters. The more I hear about this film, the more eager I am for October 2019 to arrive.