MURRAY FRANKLIN
Male (65-75) Caucasian

While no further description was given to us about this character, we are told the role is a very strong supporting one and that Phillips, along with co-producer Martin Scorsese, may be targeting Hollywood legend Robert DeNiro for the role. Scorsese and DeNiro have been frequent collaborators since 1973’s Mean Streets, with iconic films such as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Cape Fear and Casino on their shared resumes.

The Joker origin movie is officially a go at Warner Bros.

Joaquin Phoenix recently finalized his deal to star as the arch-nemesis of Batman and shooting will begin September in New York.

Todd Phillips is directing and co-wrote the script, which the studio describes as being an “exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” Scott Silver co-wrote the script.

The studio hasn’t staked out a release date for the movie, which goes against the grain of most comic book movies that plant flags years in advance. But the Joker standalone movie is meant to be different from other comic book super hero movies.

The budget is in the $55 million range, significantly lower than the tentpoles that dominate the form. And the standalone is meant to be darker and more experimental in tone and content (at least as experimental as a studio can be with established brands such as DC), which is described as being akin to a crime drama.

That said, there is a chance that the movie could be ready for a release as early as late 2019, depending on various factors.

“Three or four years ago, I called my agent and said ‘Why don’t they want to take one of these characters and just make a lower budget film about it, a movie but a character study, and why not take one of the villains?’ And I thought, ‘You can’t do the Joker, because, you know, it’s just you can’t do that character, it’s just been done.’ So I was trying to think of other characters, and he said ‘I’ll set up a general meeting with Warner Bros.’ And I said ‘I’m not gonna go, I can’t go to a general meeting.’ So I completely forgot about it, and so then I heard about this idea, I was like, ‘Oh that’s so exciting, that’s the kind of experience I wanted to have, with a movie based on a comic character.’ I felt like you could get something on screen.”

a movie based on a comic character.’ I felt like you could get something on screen.”