Robert De Niro Officially In Talks To Join Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker Movie

Robert De Niro in a DC movie? Where do we sign up?

After months of rumors linking him to the project, Deadline is reporting today that the Joker origin film has indeed carved out room for the legendary Robert De Niro, but he won’t be playing Carmine Falcone, as initially rumored.

This tidbit arrives on the heels of Warner Bros.’ official announcement for their Clown Prince of Crime, when it was revealed that Joker, directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover, War Dogs) and starring Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, will see a release on October 4th, 2019 – five short weeks before the arrival of Wonder Woman 1984.

According to Deadline, talks between De Niro and WB have been going on for a while now but the finish line’s finally in sight, with the actor expected to sign on to play a character who’s said to be “a formative figure in the development of the Joker.” He’s not a villain, though, and while some outlets say the actor will be portraying a talk show host, that’s yet to be confirmed.

“As for [Robert] De Niro’s role, I don’t think he’s playing some canon type character,” Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider recently said. “I think he’s playing like a local TV host or something like that, who’s maybe broadcasting about the Joker. I’m not entirely sure.”

One thing we can tell you with absolute certainty is that this DC origin tale involves an “exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” Plot details beyond that remain scarce, but with casting now heating up, we should learn more soon.

Expect the Joaquin Phoenix Joker movie to cackle all the way into theaters on October 4th, 2019. Phillips and Scott Silver (8 Mile) are responsible for the screenplay.