"The Joker" in development with Todd Phillips and Martin Scorsese attached?

[Osiris-Rex]

I'd argue that knowing where Harley comes from is exactly what makes her so interesting. The fact that she was once a relatively sane psychiatrist who was corrupted by The Joker adds a very interesting layer to her character that would t necessarily be here if she were just another loony sidekick.

Right. And the Joker origin story where he was a failed comedian that needed money to help his pregnant wife so goes to work for some gangsters and fall into a vat of acid in a failed robbery attempt is much more
interesting than Joker being some godlike supernatural being that just mysteriously appears out of nowhere.
It explains why he has the name Joker, comedians tell jokes, and why he pulls all of those pranks, some comedians use pranks in their act. And it explains why Joker has the bleached skin, green hair, and hideous grin.
While not having an origin story may work for God, I don't think not having an origin story is a requirement for Joker.

 

[BH/HHH]

I can see merit in both ways where the Joker is concerned. I think in the Dark Knight not knowing who he is works superbly and the Jack Napier story (even though I don't really like him killing Bruce's parents) in Batman '89 with the Axis Chemicals plot works superbly too. So aslong as they tell the story right then I'm good either way.

 

[Venom 1988]

Right. And the Joker origin story where he was a failed comedian that needed money to help his pregnant wife so goes to work for some gangsters and fall into a vat of acid in a failed robbery attempt is much more
interesting than Joker being some godlike supernatural being that just mysteriously appears out of nowhere.
It explains why he has the name Joker, comedians tell jokes, and why he pulls all of those pranks, some comedians use pranks in their act. And it explains why Joker has the bleached skin, green hair, and hideous grin.
While not having an origin story may work for God, I don't think not having an origin story is a requirement for Joker.

Yeah but that same story the origin is thrown out the window when he states he remembers things differently. He's basically an unreliable narrator, so the whole time you're reading it you may be empathizing with him only to find out that its probably not even true.

 

[Boy Scout]

Right. And the Joker origin story where he was a failed comedian that needed money to help his pregnant wife so goes to work for some gangsters and fall into a vat of acid in a failed robbery attempt is much more
interesting than Joker being some godlike supernatural being that just mysteriously appears out of nowhere.

I couldn't disagree more. The Joker works better as a mysterious, malevolent force of nature who appears out of nowhere and drives Gotham mad with fear. The less you know about him, the scarier he is.

Same can't be said for Harley, but that's because they're very, very different characters.

It explains why he has the name Joker...

Why does that need to be explained? He dresses and acts like a clown. It's a part of his schtick. The situation explains itself.

While not having an origin story may work for God, I don't think not having an origin story is a requirement for Joker.

Didn't say otherwise; I just think he's better off without one.

 

[Bruce Malone]

Is Scorsese attached to this film like Spielberg is "attached" to the Transformers flicks?

 

[I Am The Knight]

Or Nolan to BvS...

 

[Osiris-Rex]

Or Nolan to BvS...

Or Snyder to Wonder Woman.

 

[hellblazer103]

edit

 

[Skrilla31]

I'd argue that knowing where Harley comes from is exactly what makes her so interesting.

If Batman doesn't even know who the Joker is or where he came from, I don't think the audience should have the right to know either.

 

[writer0327]

Certain villains lend to a need for a backstory, whereas others are enhanced by the lack of one. Joker falls in the latter category for me. There have been so many iterations of the Joker, what would a backstory film even mean? Personally, I don't want too much information.

But for those that want the Joker's entire life story, let me ask....what does that do for you and what do you think it brings to the character?

 

[daddydivine]

Its a risk. After all this time, whatever they do to create Jokers origin story will never live up to what we imagine it to be. It'll be wolverine origins all over again.

 

[Frodo]

I doubt we're gonna get Joker's entire life story or even entire backstory. Alot of biopic's focus on a period in the protagonists life as opposed to the whole life.

If its a Joker origin story its likely just a brief period in his life that will be the focus.

I really don't have an issue with this version Joker having a backstory because as noted, he's had a few in the comics, had one in Batman 89, he had one in BMOTP. It's nothing new.

Its a matter of taste to be sure, but I don't have an issue at all with an origin. It doesn't ruin Joker for me, or make him a less compelling character to me. Its the Joker for Pete's sake. The character is bigger than one actor or film. I've been fan of the character since B89, and one interpretation ain't gonna change that.

If the story sucks, that's on the filmmakers.

 

[Guts]

Lakeith L Stanfield @lakeithlakeith 12h12 hours ago

Scorsese I'd like to play the Joker

https://***********/lakeithlakeith/status/901461648464003072

 

[Guts]

Is Scorsese attached to this film like Spielberg is "attached" to the Transformers flicks?

They did say that the plan is to emulate some of Scorsese's old movies like Raging Bull and Taxi Driver. So I guess a good allusion would be Nolan and Man of Steel.

 

[Greens]

I can see merit in both ways where the Joker is concerned. I think in the Dark Knight not knowing who he is works superbly and the Jack Napier story (even though I don't really like him killing Bruce's parents) in Batman '89 with the Axis Chemicals plot works superbly too. So aslong as they tell the story right then I'm good either way.

Exactly.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I've always taken the Red Hood origin as the actual origin of Joker, adding that there's been plenty of adaptations on screen that gave him an origin of some kind... Yeah, it's no skin off my nose if they do another one.

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

Joker is a fascinating character, and seeing how a man becomes that character could be rich and fascinating. And yet, the idea that we don't know his origin is also fascinating.

If only we could have separate universes to go both routes.

Oh wait...

 

[The Joker]

If Batman doesn't even know who the Joker is or where he came from, I don't think the audience should have the right to know either.

This. Plus defining who he is spoils one of the best things about him.

I couldn't disagree more. The Joker works better as a mysterious, malevolent force of nature who appears out of nowhere and drives Gotham mad with fear. The less you know about him, the scarier he is.

Same can't be said for Harley, but that's because they are very different characters.

Exactly right.

 

[Symbiotic]

https://***********/lakeithlakeith/status/901461648464003072

I would actually be ok with this.

 

[metaphysician]

You know, one way to do a "Joker Origin" is to tell the story, seemingly straight, laced throughout the movie. . . only to, late in the movie, have the Joker pull the rug out from under everyone. It turns out the possibly-sympathetic story he's been weaving is at least partially a ruse. He's been playing with the POV character, and the audience, all along. Optimum ending has the POV doing something horrible and personally destructive, based on false and deceptive information, and finding out the truth breaks him. Qeue a nervous breakdown, strapped to a gurney to keep him from harming himself, and then. . . laughter, as he gets the joke.

 

[Zero_Effect]

Brendan Schaub is a former MMA fighter who’s transitioned to Hollywood over the last few years. At one point on the podcast they were talking about Tim Burton, which lead to Batman, which lead to the new Joker movie. Schaub is friends Todd Feldman, who just so happens to be Todd Phillips’ agent, and revealed some new details about the movie.

“My boy Todd Feldman put this together with Todd Phillips,” Schaub said. “It’s dark. It’s like a dark Joker. As a kid, he had a permanent smile and everyone made fun of him. It’s like on the streets of Brooklyn. It’s super dark and real.” Check out his comments in the video below around the 1:03:32 mark.

http://batman-news.com/2017/08/29/joker-origin-movie-bullied/

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Sounds like they figured out a way to make the worst comic book movie of all time. Well done.

 

[Pennywise]

Is it possible this guy might be lying just to get attention?

 

[Pennywise]

I was wrong, he might be telling the truth as he mentioned on a podcast last month that a Joker origin movie was in the works. Mentions stuff like beginning in Brooklyn in the 60's or 70's with his mom a prostitute and a father who abandoned them. Starts at 5:01.

http://bigbrownbreakdown.tfatk.libsynpro.com

Really not liking the sound of this! The only positive thing would be that it's kind of an Elseworld's tale.

 

[P Supreme]

Please make this go away that sounds so awful