Warner Bros. Set to Expand the DCEU with Joker Origin Film

It seems that every few months Warner Bros. announces a new idea that they feel will somehow revitalize their DC extended universe. This year sees the release of both Wonder Woman and Justice League in theaters, and the company has also announced plans for solo Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg films, in addition to Shazam, Gotham City Sirens, and possibly a Suicide Squad sequel. Now Warner Bros. is adding yet another potential project to their DCEU in the form of a Joker origin film.

Deadline reports that the film is currently in development with writer/director Todd Phillips (The Hangover, War Dogs) to helm the project along with writer Scott Silver (8 Mile, The Fighter). What’s most surprising about this latest DCEU update is the idea that legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, The Departed) will serve as the film’s producer.

According to reports, the Joker’s origin will be told as a “gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film” taking place in the early ’80s and will not see Suicide Squad actor Jared Leto reprise his role as The Joker. A younger actor may possibly be attached to the project.

I would like to say that this is a surprising move from Warner Bros., but as stated previously they’ve already announced numerous projects in recent years and there is no guarantee as to what will actually make its way to the big screen. If the project actually does come into fruition we can at least take comfort in the fact that there are some talented names behind it. As of right now Phillips and Silver have supposedly begun writing the script for the Joker’s origin, but there has been no word on where this will fall in the company’s DC film lineup. The news is still fresh, but we’ll keep you posted as more updates come through.

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