Yesterday evening, the geek community was shocked to learn that not only are Warner Bros. planning on developing a solo movie based around The Joker, but also that they’ll explore his origin in a “gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime story set in early-’80s Gotham City” to be directed and scripted by The Hangover‘s Todd Phillips, with legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese producing. Now, it’d take all day to discuss everything wrong with this situation, but let’s go over at least a few items right now, shall we?
If you’re even remotely familiar with the Clown Prince of Crime, then you’d know he has no true origin story. Granted, tales such as The Killing Joke and Lovers and Madmen have filled in some blanks, but the former stressed that Joker himself prefers for his background to be “multiple choice.” Because of this, readers have deduced that he’s often lying when discussing his history, or that he’s so far gone he can’t properly remember it. Not surprisingly, this has already become a hot point for discussion on social media, with there being arguments for both sides (but mostly negative).
That aside, fans often appreciate this bit of mystique, which Christopher Nolan incorporated when adapting the character in 2008’s The Dark Knight. In fact, Twitter user Eggs & Blakon shares my own sentiment about not wanting to humanize the Ace of Knaves, something writer Brian Azzarello got around by telling the story found in his original graphic novel, Joker, from the point of view of a henchman. Still, Azathoth isn’t afraid to say that it worked for Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton’s Batman.
https://twitter.com/extrablakon/status/900149359530176512
Despite them both making valid points, I can’t help but stress that Batman himself is vital to the Joker’s origin. But with this said to be a never before seen take, I confess to being pretty nervous about it. After all, this is the same studio that made 2004’s Catwoman, a flick very obviously cooked up by guys in a board room that knew nothing of the feline fatale. Funnily enough, Holy BatCast sounds like they’d probably agree with my saying that.
My guess: WB asked Phillips if he'd be interested in a DC movie and this is what he pitched. So they said,"Umm, sure. Try it." #Joker
— Holy BatCast (@HolyBatCast) August 22, 2017
Like it or not, a Joker movie is on its way and is likely to happen simply due to having some big names behind the camera. So, we can only hope that it turns out to be a good film despite all the confusion that’ll be caused by there being two cinematic versions of the character running around. While we wait to hear more about the studio’s plans for the project, check out some of the funnier reactions we’ve come across below.
I bet they are gonna give Joker some ridiculous name like 'Greg' pic.twitter.com/091ZgabQdW
— ꙳꒰ ˃̵֊ ˂̵ ꒱✨⁷ (@VieRose0) August 22, 2017
JOKER ORIGIN MOVIE?! FUCK YOOOOOOOOUUUUUUU! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AmUjE3sFuR
— Billy Butcherson 💀 (@StephShadyPR) August 23, 2017
Todd Phillips dusting off that clown suit for Joker movie pic.twitter.com/twAYV8qqih
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) August 23, 2017
