Joker 2 Officially Confirmed (UPDATE: But Now It Isn't?)
UPDATE #2: Okay, maybe not? (I originally added a trailer for some weird horror 'A Christmas Carol' mini-series)
The Joker sequel news that hit a trade today is great clickbait, but multiple inside sources said that while a sequel to the billion-dollar-grossing film is an obvious likely eventuality that makes all the financial sense in the world, at this point there are no deals for a sequel, nor even any negotiations with director Todd Phillips or his co-writer Scott Silver to craft one.
Those sources add that the linchpin of today’s THR story — that a week after Joker‘s opening, Phillips met with Warner Bros film chief Toby Emmerich to pitch a portfolio of DC character origin stories — is as flat false as earlier stories that Martin Scorsese contemplated directing the first Joker (Scorsese was originally going to be a producer but dropped out because of his crowded schedule). Multiple sources said no such October 7 meeting between Phillips and Emmerich occurred, and that Phillips doesn’t want to follow Joker by overseeing other DC character films. (via DEADLINE)
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Despite being "different" and "against the grain" of comic book movies,
Do we like this? Are we happy? Let's pause for a few moments to think...
Okay, we've had five seconds to think about it. What's your answer?
I am open to the idea of a sequel, but my concern is that it doesn't impact my thoughts on the first movie that just came out. My thoughts on the movie can be found here in a spoiler review, but part of my love for the movie is that I was in the camp that felt as though they left things fairly open, mysterious and ambiguous. There were people who debated that by saying Todd Phillips isn't that smart of a director, I was giving the movie too much credit, etc., which is fair, but I stand by my thoughts.
What a sequel does is potentially tarnish that mystique, which would be disappointing. But, for now, I will trust Phillips and Phoenix to spin yet another incredible web with the Joker character.
There is also another interesting development from the report on Todd Phillips' new movie…
On Oct. 7, Joker director Todd Phillips headed into Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich's office, buoyed by the film's $96.2 million opening-weekend haul. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter he proposed an outsized idea — the rights to develop a portfolio of DC characters' origin stories.
Emmerich balked. After all, Warner Bros. is very protective of the DC canon. And all other DC deals have been for one film, and one film only. But Phillips did emerge from the meeting with the rights to at least one other DC story, sources say. (via The Hollywood Report)
This is a pretty intriguing concept because of DC Comics' massive portfolios of villains. Riddler? Catwoman? Bane? Mr. Freeze? There are endless possibilities for Todd Phillips to work with. Personally? Give me the Mr. Freeze origin story!
Shameless plug, I broke down both Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix's Joker performances…
Leave your thoughts below on whether or not 'Joker 2' is a good idea in your mind…