The Joker’s real name is Arthur Fleck. He is an introvert who moves back with his ailing mother Penny and develops a relationship with his neighbor, single mother Sophie Dumont. Arthur’s attempts to provide for them lead him down a path that pushes him to the edge of sanity and result in his transformation into the Joker.
Joker also narrates the story, described as a "exploration of a man disregarded by society, that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale."
Arthur works at a hotel managed by world-weary Hoyt Vaughn. His colleagues are the opportunistic conman Randall and the friendly dwarf Gary, and he often interacts with two cops, the honest Garrity and corrupt Burke.
Arthur’s mother Penny once worked for wealthy industrialist Thomas Wayne and is obsessed with him, while Arthur regards him as “cheesy, tanned and rich-looking”. Allegedly it is implied Arthur is Thomas’ bastard son.
Robert De Niro is in final talks to play Murray Franklin, a “fear-mongering talk-show host”.
