Wow. Now THIS is something we can get behind.
Based on what we’ve seen from Warner Bros. recently I’ve been incredibly worried about the prospect of a solo Joker movie that reeks of a quick cash grab move. Sure, the prospect of Todd Phillips and Martin Scorsese being involved in some capacity seems promising, but at the end of the day, WB has done absolutely nothing over the last few years to give us any reason to have faith in a Joker-based project.
Until now.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, WB “will make an ambitious attempt to use Scorsese to bring Leonardo DiCaprio into the world of comic-book movies.”
via THR:
Certainly, Scorsese’s involvement in The Joker film, which The Hangover filmmaker Todd Phillips would direct, could elevate and diversify the studio’s contributions to the genre, creating the potential to make awards-worthy films such as Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. There’s no offer for DiCaprio, and sources say Scorsese’s deal to produce isn’t even done yet. The chances of landing DiCaprio could be slim to none. But the attempt in itself sends a signal to talent that Warners wants to hire serious filmmakers to make serious films.
This plan was not met with applause in all quarters: Insiders say Jared Leto, the actor who portrayed the Clown Prince of Crime in last summer’s Suicide Squad and is slated to reprise the character not just for a sequel but for another spinoff movie (with DC villainess Harley Quinn), was caught off-guard by the plans. Leto is said to have made his displeasure with the notion of multiple Jokers known to his CAA agents, and rival agency WME has been using the concern to court him.
Warner Bros. launched its DC Extended Universe to compete with Marvel Studios with 2013’s Man of Steel. The movies have included the poorly reviewed Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad as well as this summer’s well-received Wonder Woman, which was seen as finally correcting a wobbly series. The movies have a through-line not just of stories but also actors, making them part of a superhero universe.
While Leo’s involvement in a comic book property is certainly a long shot, the rumor alone is enough to peak some newfound interest.
