Todd Phillips Will Direct A JOKER Movie For Warner Bros; Martin Scorsese Producing


I don't know about you, but I enjoyed the overall span of The Hangover Trilogy from War Dogs director Todd Phillips. He's got a great handle on comedy but I'm a little more fascinated by what he might be able to bring to a more grounded, dark and cerebral narrative...

At least that's what's being offered with news that a deal is set for Phillips to direct a new Joker movie that will be a lauchpad for a fledgeling, to-be-named WB/DC banner in which it can create projects and expand on DC characters. Phillips is joined by 8 Mile, Stronger and The Fighter scribe Scott Silver in penning the script, and will produce the film with Martin Scorsese.
An intriguing part is the setting. The intention is to make a gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film set in early-’80s Gotham City that isn’t meant to feel like a DC movie as much as one of Scorsese’s films from that era, like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull or The King Of Comedy.
Details remain as things start to brew but the report also states it may seek a younger actor to succeed that of actors Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and actor Jared Leto who will seperately appear in an upcoming Suicide Squad sequel.

As exasperating these comic book movies can be at times, I admit I'm already sold on the vision. As derivative as it sounds, it also feels like a bold approach to the character from a more organic angle than merely a comic book movie re-rendering. And, given Silver's credits and the addition of Scorsese to help bring this hard-boiled, 1980's-set crime tale to life, we could have something promising.

What do you guys think? Share your ideas and thoughts. (Deadline)
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