Warner Bros. is currently planning two individual movies based on the Joker, and some fans have voiced their concern regarding the complications that may arise from two different movies based on the same character.
The first movie will be based on Jared Leto’s Joker from the 2016 Suicide Squad film. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the executive producers of the NBC hit show This is Us, are in talks to lead the proposed project featuring Suicide Squad’s Joker and Harley Quinn.
Additionally, there is a second proposed untitled movie featuring the Joker in the works being spearheaded by Todd Philips, the director behind the hit comedy The Hangover.
The Philips’ directed movie will focus on Joker’s backstory, which in the long and rich history of the DC universe has never really been explored. The other main difference between this proposed film and the aforementioned Suicide Squad venture will be that the Phillips’ directed film will star another actor instead of Jared Leto.
Todd Philips take on the Joker film—if greenlit—would be the first film under a new proposed DC banner. The new banner will encompass a series of films that aims to extend the canon. The new banner also aims to deliver unique and sometimes unusual narratives to some of the beloved superheroes within the massive DC roster.
This bold new direction for DC is a visible sign of the company trying to further distinguish themselves from Marvel—who, after being bought by Disney, has really flourished and taken both the silver screen and the small screen by storm.
Regardless of what fans think, DC trying new things with their properties is a bold move, but with the recent success of movies such as Wonder Woman, it’s a road worth traveling.
