A Joker origin movie is in the works, and Martin Scorsese is involved

It’s generally agreed that the late, great Heath Ledger gave THE definitive Joker performance in 2008’s The Dark Knight. Jack Nicholson was magnificent in his own right while Jared Leto struggled to fill Ledger’s mighty shoes in Suicide Squad (see our review), but in fairness, anyone would.

But it’s not stopping Warner Bros from working on a Joker origin movie. Deadline is reporting that Warners has assigned Todd Philips and Scott Silver to work on a script that will reveal the origins of Batman’s bete noir. The movie will also be directed by Philips, who’s perhaps best known for um The Hangover and War Dogs.

And most interestingly – Oscar-winner Martin Scorsese, he of Taxi Driver and Goodfellas and more, will produce the movie alongside Silver. Apparently, Warners is aiming for a “gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film set in early-’80s Gotham City” that will evoke one of Scorsese’s movies from the same era.

According to Deadline, this will be the first film under a new banner that has yet to be named in which Warners can expand the canon of DC properties and create unique storylines with different actors playing the iconic characters. And Leto, who complained publicly that many of his Suicide Squad scenes were cut, will not be a part of it.

We at Geek Crusade are not so certain about a Joker origin movie, but we certainly approve of Leto being removed from the equation. He’s a fine actor but his interpretation of the role was more annoying than anything else. Still, Leto will get plenty of work – he’ll next be seen in Blade Runner 2049.

Now, all Warners needs is a suitable lead. Who’s up for it?

Are you up for a Joker origin movie? Who should play the Clown Prince of Crime? Tell us your thoughts, geeks!

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