Joaquin Phoenix In Joker
Warner Bros.

DC Comics fans should be aware that Todd Phillips‘ ‘Joker’ is only loosely inspired by the famous supervillain.  But even if it isn’t a faithful adaptation, it sounds as though it’s still an excellent movie and buzz is already building that Joaquin Phoenix will be nominated for an Academy Award.

This tweet was shared by Awards Ace’s Erick Weber:

 

 

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Before ‘Joker’ arrives in theaters, it will debut at the Venice Film Festival, an unusual move for a major studio film (although WB did the same thing last year, with ‘A Star is Born’, another movie they felt needed a little more TLC than usual).  Speaking to Variety, Festival artistic chief Alberto Barbera discussed the picture, stating:

“Yes, as usual, they said they wanted to be in a more protected situation.  But then [director] Todd Phillips said: ‘I don’t care if I run the risk of not winning. Why shouldn’t I go in competition when I know what we’ve got on our hands?’  I have to say, Warners was convinced pretty rapidly, because it’s a really surprising film.  It’s the most surprising film we’ve got this year…This one’s going straight to the Oscars even though it’s gritty, dark, violent. It has amazing ambition and scope.”

Barbera’s description, “gritty, dark, violent” is virtually the same as the words used by Weber’s source, “dark, disturbing & unforgettable.”

Phoenix has been nominated for the Academy Award three times previously– in 2001 for Supporting Actor for ‘Gladiator’, and for Lead Actor in 2006 for ‘Walk the Line’, and 2013 for ‘The Master’, but he has yet to win.  Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his depiction of The Joker in 2008’s ‘The Dark Knight’.

‘Joker’ opens in theaters on October 4, 2019.  Before that, it will premier at the Venice International Film Festival, which takes place from August 28-September 7.