I understand the pessimism here, but I'm not that upset about this. I just hoped the Scorsese film would've been in the continuity of the rest of the universe they built towards.
Not that it matters but I'm just going to layout what I would've done if I were WB/DC.
Much like the Wonder Woman franchise, have the Joker film set before Suicide Squad.
I mean not so far behind that it's full blown period piece, but far enough that the audience feels a little character development when they re-watch Suicide Squad.
The best way to go forward with this is to adapt Brian Azzarello's Joker graphic novel, with minor changes as to having a different character other than Johnny Frost narrating the story and taking on that role as we see him in Suicide Squad, so this should be a henchman prior to Jim Parrack's Johnny Frost. Although I think he should cameo in as a new recruit. Harley Quinn should reprise in the short role she has from the graphic novel, but she should look more like her appearance in the comics without the tattoos. Joker in this film should not have the grills or any of his tattoos and should look almost 100% comic accurate. Towards the climax of the original story Harvey Dent pleads Batman to help him, instead of that I think he should lure Robin in front of the Joker, knowing that he will kill him angering the Batman to stop the Joker once and for all. Joker should then kill Robin and head towards to escape.
So my take is to blend the Brian Azzarello story to a great extent. The main story should be that. Robin is killed by Joker in a fit of rage trying to escape without any nuissance getting in his way. The climax should be the same as narrated by the henchman (in this case not Johnny Frost) by having him shot by the Joker on the chin and falling to his death from the bridge, viewing Batman knocking the teeth out of him. That would close the film on a cliffhanger and that should be that.
Batman doesn't even really need to be Ben Affleck as it can be just a silhouette of him that appears. Joker should have his classic laugh and a more accurate voice.
I think this can be done without a big budget and have an indie film vibe. It should be dark and R-rated as a Joker film should be. It would be even more brilliant if Todd Philips and Scorsese take this on for the DCEU with Jared Leto reprising his role.
This would really get a lot of people onboard Jared Leto as the Joker and will be the right film to be made in my opinion. Joker wasn't even in Suicide Squad for long and his take and appearance is all part of Ayer's creative decision. Jared Leto can deliver a great Joker that the fans want and will love if they give him the right take on the character.
This is the only kind of Joker film that makes sense to me for WB/DC to make. Not an origin film that Todd Philips is planning to make outside the DC extended universe. A film like this expands the universe too. This specific story has the Riddler, Killer Croc, Penguin and Harvey Dent appear. This film also lets there be a chance to redeem Killer Croc as well.
WB/DC set up a universe for a reason, why go out of it when the universe collectively gives you more profitability if you just focus on making it right? An indie style dark low budget film with story similar to what I was saying should do the trick.
Another gripe I hope they kind of fix is how Jared Leto's nose looks. It should be long and pointing downwards.
Oh and he should be laughing like a maniac alot please.
