It looks like Zazie Beetz's next comic-book role could be quite different from her last, as THR has reported that the actress is currently in talks to join Joaquin Phoenix in JOKER, Warner Bros.' upcoming standalone origin film. Details on the script are naturally being kept under wraps, but the outlet says that Beetz is up for the role of a "single mother who catches the interest of the man who will become the Clown Prince of Crime." We'll keep you updated, but I think the DEADPOOL 2 actress would make a fine addition to the cast.
Production on JOKER is slated to kick off this September in New York under the direction of Todd Phillips (THE HANGOVER), and the studio has described the project as an "exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale." The budget will fall somewhere in the $55 million range, which will allow the film to be "darker and more experimental in tone and content." In addition to the Joaquin Phoenix film, Warner Bros. is also developing another standalone Joker film for Jared Leto as well. After months of playing it coy, Joaquin Phoenix was finally able to comment on playing the Joker and recently revealed that the project "scares the f**king shit" out of him.
I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I’m gonna work on always. So, in some ways, the process, which is obviously reading a script and meeting a filmmaker and then continuing to have meetings and discussions with Todd [Phillips]. I think he’s very impressive and he seems to have a very interesting understanding of this world and what he’s trying to say. And so there is something very appealing about that and working with him on this particular project. It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the fucking shit out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.
JOKER will hit theaters on October 4, 2019.
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