The trailer is out for the Joaquin Phoenix Joker. Interesting if nothing else.
That looks like it’s going to be GOOD.
Yikes! I think Joaquin has managed to out creep Heath (obviously he get’s more opportunity what with being the subject of the film).
So, is this a totally new telling of Joker’s backstory? I don’t know comics too well but ISTR Jack Nicholson’s version had him having fallen in a vat of chemicals or something? And HL’s had been cut up by his father, thus the origin of “Why so serious?”.
I must admit, I’m intrigued.
If looks like Bernhard Goetz…
*
…the joke.*
My favorite reaction so far was from Deadspin: “Right now, the movie basically looks like Falling Down but with a clown”
Falling Down was more of a proto-Trump angry-white-man-lashes-out-at-society film. This is really a friendless loser seeking public adulation almost more along the lines of Taxi Driver or King of Comedy. Joaquin Phoenix gives what looks like a great performance but I’m not sure how well this will sell without some kind of judicious counterpoint in the villany of the main character. The Silence of the Lambs is a rare film that featured a paychopath in a role with popular appeal, but Hopkins’ Hannibal Lector was not the protagonist and was presented as kind of a malevolent evil who exploited the inherent corruption of his captors to effect his escape plan.
Stranger
He gave two different stories, one where his father did it and one where he did it to himself. And he was about to tell another story before Batman stopped him. I think the whole idea behind Joker is that there is no one true story.
That’s been my reaction.
By God this actually looks good
The Nicholson version was the usual origin, but between alternate earths and redos, I don’t know if this other version had appeared in any comics.
Also since Joaquin Phoenix is pretty much mental anyway in real life, that adds spice and flavor to playing an insane, homicidal maniac.
I’m also really looking forward to this movie. Here’s a couple of teaser trailers from a few months ago: one, two.
It almost looks more like an arthouse movie than a superhero movie.
Which is why I’m a bit worried about this film, since it seems to be an attempt at telling just that story.
It’s refreshing to see a DC movie without CGI. I certainly like the trailer for this new Joker.
I don’t know. I am having a hard time seeing Joaquin Phoenix as being right for the role. He seems a little too … broody? I’m kind of expecting to see a more madcap energy. In any case, I’m sure it’ll be a great movie as long as there’s a scene where he decides that what he really needs to do is cover his body with a whole bunch of shitty tattoos.
I predict he will get an oscar nom for this. I’m definitely going to see it.
DC takes a darker tone with the “Man of Steel” and “Batman v. Superman” movies, and this may be a part of the reason those films wasn’t received well by a lot of the audience. (Marvel takes a lighter tone, and they do fine.) So DC’s response is to do another “grimdark” take on their intellectual property. (Insert a “hold my beer” joke.) 
I think that Joaquim has the acting chops for this.
Is it risky to try and make the Joker a sympathetic villain? This could backfire.
But my interest is definately kindled by the trailer.
“If I’m going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice.”
- Joker, The Killing Joke
Yeah, the original canonical one is with the busted robbery and the chemical plant. But the Joker is more a force of nature at this point. Trying to define why he is seems a mugs game.
Still, it’ll be interesting to see where this goes. When I heard about it I was of the opinion that the world didn’t need it. But I also thought we didn’t need whatever the hell Heath Ledger was doing in earlier trailers for The Dark Knight and it turned out we did. So what do I know?
It looks to me like Phoenix is going to provide the definitive on-screen Joker performance. I think he’s perfect for the role. He’s even got the name thing going on: Joker - Jokin’ - Joaquin.
The trailer is really good. I have hopes.
The Joker’s name is “Arthur”? That’s new.
I heard someone say that the politician is supposed to be Bruce Wayne’s father. I wonder if that will be a re-imagined Dr. Thomas Wayne (depicted previously as a philanthropist) or whether they’ll completely remake that character with a new name too.
They’ve also made Aquaman and Shazam. I appreciate having a variety of tones to choose from. If the choice is between ‘heavy and flawed’ or ‘light and tight,’ for me, the former is a more enjoyable experience.