Joker Origin Film Starring Joaquin Phoenix Gets Greenlight

It’s official: Joaquin Phoenix will be the next Clown Prince of Crime.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. has given the greenlight to Todd Phillip’s highly anticipated Joker origin film, with the 43-year-old actor signed on as the lead. The film is expected to begin shooting in September with a relatively low budget of $55 million.

THR reports Phillip’s project will provide a darker depiction of the Joker that has never been seen in previous DC flicks. His version is described as an “exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” The film will be written by director Phillips alongside Scott Silver (8 Mile and The Fighter).

Though the studio has yet to announce a scheduled premiere date, the Joker flick will be released under the DC Comics banner. This will give Warner Bros. another chance to redeem itself following the disappointing Justice League and Suicide Squad films; the latter of which was widely criticized for its handling of Jared Leto’s Joker.

According to THR, Warner Bros. is still developing another Joker project starring Leto. The villain is also rumored to appear in the Suicide Squad sequel as well as the standalone Harley Quinn movie.