Crown Prince of Crime aimed to think out of the Marvel box
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a giant when it comes to producing superhero movies. No production has ever had a colossal success in producing interlinked superhero movies. Which is why Todd Philips the director of the upcoming movie Joker, is set out to do something that Marvel has never done.
“Let’s do something they can’t do.” – Todd Philips
In an interview with ComicBook Philips said, “You can’t beat Marvel — it’s a giant behemoth.” So instead of fighting head-on with the MCU he gave a clear cut mission statement. He said. “Let’s do something they can’t do.”
Phillips continued to explain the reason he choose to portray the origins of his titular character. He said, “You want to root for this guy until you can’t root for him any longer.” Yeah, the one who descends into madness and violence.
Also, unlike any entry in the MCU thus far, the Joker movie has confirmed the R-Rating, with “strong bloody violence, disturbing behaviour, language, and brief sexual images” all being featured.
Total Film’s five-star review said the Joker went to “deeper, darker and more disturbing places than any comic book movie to date,” suggesting that Phillips has pulled off what he was hoping to achieve.
Joaquin Phoenix rejected the role of Doctor Strange because he chooses to act with uniquely envisioned filmmakers.
Joker star Joaquin Phoenix is admittedly a comic book fan, having turned down the role of Doctor Strange in the MCU years ago but ultimately opts not to clarify exactly why he did this. He says, “I don’t really care about genre or budget size, anything like that. It’s just whether there is a filmmaker that has a unique vision.”
Joker has few ties to any comic book film other than names like Thomas Wayne (and, of course, Bruce Wayne who grows up to be Batman) or the city of Gotham. The film is very much a character study which creates its own story for Arthur Fleck and could have very well operated under the title of Arthur just as well.
“It’s just another interpretation, like people do interpretations of Macbeth,” Phillips explained. His biggest inspirations for the movie came from titles like Taxi Driver, Death Wish, and Kings of Comedy.
Not so Marvel Joker may end up in a sequel?
Phillips may even have eyes on a sequel. He recently told Total Film: “If people show up to this movie, and [Warner Bros.] came to us and said, ‘You know what? If you guys could think of something…’ Well, I have a feeling that he and I could think of something pretty cool.”
So we may or may not have a sequel to the Joker. But what do you think of it – given all the hype about the Joker? Comment away!!
Sources: ComicBook, GamesRader+
