Written by Edwin Francisco
Todd Philips’ Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix is “pretty close” to finally getting its sequel.
To say it simply: the 2019 Joker was a major hit. The non-DCEU film made $1 billion globally from of a $55 million budget. These digits make a Joker sequel one of the top priorities for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Undoubtedly, Warner Bros. Discovery will produce a Joker sequel. The only questions are when and about what?
Geekosity writer Kieran Bugg reported back on October 8, 2021 that Joaquin Phoenix was open to making a sequel. Joaquin Phoenix said:
There are some things we could do with this guy and could explore further. But as to whether we actually will? I don’t know.
Joaquin Phoenix Joker Sequel Close To Getting Started
Image: Warner Bros.
Joaquin Phoenix won a Best Actor Oscar for Joker.
A new report reveals that Philips is “pretty close” to making the Joker sequel. How far he is into it, that we don’t know. Still, what is “pretty close”?
In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav wants Philips to be involved with DC Films. Geekosity founder Mikey Sutton leaked it’s connected to R-rated DC Black Label movies.
A sequel was already greenlit almost immediately after the release of Joker. It’s a bankable franchise. Warner can’t look away from making a sequel for the DC psychological thriller. This was way before Discovery bought Warner Bros.
A sequel was inevitable.
The question then is, how will the Joker progress into more sequels without the presence of Batman. But then again, Joker had no intention including Batman. We already have Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise for that. For sure, the Joker franchise will focus on the point of view of the Clown Prince of Crime.
Joaquin Phoenix Joker Sequel Close To Getting Started
Image: Warner Bros.
That is, if it will continue with a series of movies.
One idea is using Batman: Three Jokers as one of their concepts. I reported this a year ago in June 10, 2021. It’s no secret that the Joaquin Phoenix Joker film borrowed elements from Batman: The Killing Joke from writer Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland.
So, it’s like a natural progression to follow the spiritual successor to the comic, which is Batman: Three Jokers. On the other hand, the comic book relied a lot on Batman, Batgirl and Red Hood.
Philips has a lot ahead of him.
Nonetheless, we aren’t sure what direction it is that he plans to do for the Joker sequel. It’s also not impossible to combine the ideas of several comics to make a coherent story. Developers of the film will need to fill in a lot of blanks. I do think the sequel will dive in further as a character study of the Joker.