‘The Joker’ Origin Movie Reportedly In The Works, Martin Scorsese To Produce

Warner Bros. is reportedly developing an origin story for Batman’s most famous foe—The Joker. However, the said movie will also not be a part of the DC Extended Universe. Talk about maximum confusion fusion. “The Joker” is also reported to be produced by Martin Scorsese.

The studio, to begin with, has never had a clear vision as to how the DCEU should go. And so, Deadline reports that “The Joker” is undergoing preliminary stages of development and will be helmed by “The Hangover’s” Todd Philips. The script will be written by “The Fighter” writer and director Scott Silver. According to the report, the studio is planning to create a new sub-DCEU film franchise that focuses on original takes on various characters set within the DC comics continuity.

The Joker Movie Won’t Have Jared Leto

In line with this, Jared Leto, who played “The Joker” in “Suicide Squad,” won’t be reprising his role in this new effort by Warner Bros. The report describes “The Joker” movie as a “hard-boiled crime film” and will take place in the early 80’s. Scorses looks to be the one who will handle the art and style of the film, with themes drawn heavily from “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy.” It’s a notable contrast from the colorful and comedic vibe of David Ayer’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime.

A Far More Coherent Strategy

Given how DC and the studio are currently having a more coherent track for the DCEU, this news comes as a significant deviation from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s formula. The previous entries in their cinematic universe have never really been strongly intertwined. “Man of Steel” and “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” have both been seen as a movie far too dark for its characters and “Suicide Squad’s” theme was deemed too comedic for a film focused on crime and action. So far, Patty Jenkin’s “Wonder Woman” film was the only DCEU entry to have ever received very positive reactions.

This new venture that “The Joker” movie would reportedly belong to could be a sign of a positive redirection for the studio’s film strategy—a way for the producers and directors to tell an original story based on the DC characters that don’t necessarily have to mesh together in terms of tone and continuity. At the very least, a Joker movie produced by Scorsese would most likely be a very iconic take on the character, much like what Christopher Nolan did with “The Dark Knight” trilogy.