Joaquin Phoenix's Joker Origin Movie Gets Greenlight!

Joaquin Phoenix is set to play the Joker in an upcoming origin movie for Warner Bros.

The film will be directed by The Hangover franchise’s Todd Phillips and will be a standalone film separate from Jared Leto‘s role in the DC Cinematic Universe.

Leto is still set to play the Joker in the Suicide Squad sequel, as well as a separate standalone movie.

Phoenix‘s film is being described as an “exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale,” according to THR. The movie will be darker and more experimental than other comic book superhero movies and will have a much lower budget at around $55 million.