Warner Bros.
While both Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips were initially and steadfastly hesitant to the idea of a Joker sequel, the unabashed box office record-shattering success has clearly forced their hand, as The Hollywood Reporter is, well, reporting that sources are telling them a sequel is “in the works.”
The director is likely to reteam with star Joaquin Phoenix on a follow-up to the $1 billion-grossing R-rated hit, sources say.
Now that Joker has crossed the $1 billion mark, a sequel is on the way. As the movie keeps raking in money overseas, Phillips is in talks to reprise his role as director for a second Joker outing (he and Scott Silver, who penned the gritty Joker screenplay, will write the follow-up), THR has learned.
Warners has sequel options in place for Joker star Joaquin Phoenix, who has emerged as a strong contender in the Oscar best actor race.
It’s an obvious move from Warner Bros., as Joker recently became the first-ever R-Rated film to make over $1 billion at the global box office.
Given that they were able to break all these records while keeping their artistic integrity intact, the duo has likely been promised that will remain the case when it comes to making a sequel, as Phoenix has been particularly vocal about his aversion to franchises and sequels.
Additionally, the THR report states that Phillips proposed to Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich that he be given the right to “develop a portfolio of DC characters’ origin stories”, with Darkseid and Lex Luthor being listed as two potential candidates.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Contact him on Twitter @eric_ital or via email eric@brobible.com