Were Reports of a Joker Sequel & More DC Origin Movies Premature?

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Were reports of a Joker sequel & more DC origin movies premature?

Sorry to burst your red balloons, Joker fans, but while excitement soared through the roof this morning when The Hollywood Reporter announced co-writer/director Todd Phillips had entered talks to craft a sequel and other origin films for DC villains, it appears it might have been some premature reporting.

According to Deadline, multiple inside sources are reporting that a sequel to the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time is still very likely, however no plans for Phillips to craft other DC villain origin stories are underway and that an alleged meeting with Warner Bros. film chief Toby Emmerich a week after the film’s release never took place.

Despite the seemingly downbeat news, fans should still remain hopeful for the future, as the film’s $1 billion+ box office haul and generally positive reviews will absolutely drive WB to desire a sequel, and Phillips has stated that if certain conditions were met he would return for a follow-up. Though Joaquin Phoenix’s future in the role is unclear, given the praise he received and the awards attention he’s getting, he may see its potential and choose to also ante up for another go at the clown prince of crime.

Variety does report that very preliminary talks are underway between the studio and Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver for a follow-up, but that no storyline, deals or scripts are currently set, while also confirming the other origin stories meeting never happened.

Director Todd Phillips’ original, standalone origin story Joker explores the world of—and according to—Arthur Fleck. Indelibly portrayed by Phoenix, Arthur is a man facing the cruelty and outright scorn of society, along with the indifference of a system that allows him to spiral from vulnerability into depravity. A clown-for-hire by day, he strives to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds that the joke always seems to be on him. He’s out of tune with everyone around him, as evidenced by his uncontrollable, inappropriate laughter, which gains momentum as he attempts to contain it, exposing him to further ridicule—and even violence.

Arthur, who devotes himself to caring for his fragile mother, seeks out every father figure he’s never had, from wealthy businessman Thomas Wayne to TV host Murray Franklin. Caught in a cyclical existence teetering on the precipice of reality and madness, one bad decision brings about a chain reaction of escalating, ultimately deadly, events.

Buy The Joker: A Celebration Of 75 Years here and catch up on the Clown Prince of Crime.

Joaquin Phoenix stars as the titular villain with Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), Bill Camp (Red Sparrow, Molly’s Game), Frances Conroy (American Horror Story), Brett Cullen (Narcos), Glenn Fleshler (Barry), Douglas Hodge (Penny Dreadful), Marc Maron (GLOW), Josh Pais (Motherless Brooklyn), and Shea Whigham (First Man).

Phillips (The Hangover trilogy) directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Silver (The Fighter), based on characters from DC. The film is being produced by Phillips and MCU mainstay Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner, and Emma Tillinger Koskoff. It is executive produced by Richard Baratta, Joseph Garner, and Bruce Berman.