Nobody really knows if Joaquin Phoenix will be cast or not. Martin Scorsese being involved in the production of the recently announced Joker origin movie, and Todd Phillips slated to direct, we had a hunch that maybe, just maybe, Scorsese would bring along his trusted collaborator and partner in crime Leonardo DiCaprio. Well, Variety has all but confirmed that DiCaprio is being sought for the project:
"The answer involves a plan worthy of The Joker himself. Sources say Warners will make an ambitious attempt to use Scorsese to bring Leonardo DiCaprio into the world of comic-book movies. 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."
Then there's the question of Jared Leto, who is currently the WB's go-to Joker. He doesn't seem to be too pleased by the WB's decision to make an origin movie of his character:
"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."
Whatever grudges may be held about this project happening, it will surely be better than what we were given with "Suicide Squad."
[Variety]