The upcoming Joker origin film might be one of the strangest features Martin Scorcese has ever been attached to. While he won’t direct the film, Scorcese’s guiding hand oversees the project in an executive producer role. Directing duties shall be performed by Todd Phillips of “The Hangover” fame. A lead actor for the role of The Joker hasn’t been cast, but Joaquin Phoenix seems to be leading choice.
As comic book movie fans learn more details about the film, the continue to ask “Will the actual origin tale be an adaptation of ‘The Killing Joke’ story?” The screenplay hasn’t been completed yet, but all indications suggest significant elements from “The Killing Joke” find their way into the script.
In 1988, Alan Moore crafted the brilliant comic book one-shot titled “The Killing Joke.” The short graphic novel finally told a tale comic book fans wanted to know for decades. In the work, Moore presented the origin of The Joker. While comic fans knew The Joker suffered both physical disfigurement and a mental collapse after falling into a vat of chemicals, the events leading up to the events were never told. The Killing Joke cast light on those events. In the narrative, the reader learns The Joker was once a failed stand-up comic who suffered a horrible day of personal tragedy leading up to his fall into the vat of chemicals. The story strongly hints The Joker had already snapped mentally prior to the fall.
“The Killing Joke” was already adapted in animated movie form. The direct-to-DVD release carried an R-rating and didn’t garner much acclaim. From a financial perspective, the feature was a success. The live-action version should be a hit as well owing to The Joker’s iconic pop culture status and the decision to break away from the DC Extended Universe continuity.
Die-hard DC Comics fans aren’t thrilled that The Joker origin film moves away from the current canon of the recent DC Comics films, reveals Geek Tyrant. Such fans fail to see the obvious dilemma DC Comics and Warner Bros. have with the DCEU. The extended universe has run into critical and box office troubles. While the DCEU falters, the heroes and villains haven’t lost their luster completely. Audiences realize the creative teams are bungling great characters. Comparisons to the new Batman to the Nolan/Bale Batman remain fresh in audience members’ minds. A Joker film outside of the DCEU, especially a quicky concept such as a “Killing Joke” adaptation could succeed where DCEU films flop.
