Some are mad, some are glad, some are indifferent, but regardless, the Joker standalone film (which is still a thing) that was to be directed by Todd Phillips was a hoax. The film was reported to be a prequel to Christopher Nolan's 2008 The Dark Knight, and would tell the story of how the Joker came to be the Joker some 20 years before The Dark Knight. Here is the (fake) synopsis that had the internet losing its collective mind yesterday:
“Twenty years before Batman saved the city in THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY, Gotham was a dangerous place. In the crime-ridden Narrows, one man tries to escape his unfortunate lot through a passion for theatrics and stand-up comedy. However, one bad day is all it takes in this city, and soon the well-meaning man has become the most dangerous criminal of all: the Joker. Directed by Academy Award Nominee Todd Phillips (“WAR DOGS”) and produced by Academy Award Winner Martin Scorsese (“GOODFELLAS”), this prequel to Academy Award Nominee Christopher Nolan’s “THE DARK KNIGHT”
While the movie is still going to happen, it will be a standalone Joker story, but not necessarily an origin story, and it won't be the Nolan/Ledger Joker that we all know and love, nor will Joaquin Phoenix take the titular role (so far). Personally, I am hoping they kind of go "Elseworlds" on it, which is a separate series of comics that are not cannon, allowing insane things to happen, like Batman turning into a vampire. It's a great offshoot series, because artists and writers can explore ideas without fan-boys trying to get their addresses so they can burn down their houses.
The Joker standalone film is currently untitled with no release date.
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