Yesterday, it was reported by The Hollywood Reporter and other sources that Todd Phillips met with Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich on October 7, after the massive opening weekend of ‘Joker,’ to make plans for a sequel and that Phillips also pitched a plan to direct a series of movies chronicling the origins of multiple DC characters. It was also reported that Joaquin Phoenix had already signed on for multiple movies from the start, but that Phillips was in negotiations to return to helm the ‘Joker’ sequel.
That report was based on information provided by “anonymous sources.” Today, “multiple sources” (via Deadline) refuted that claim, saying that the October 7 meeting never took place. Phillips himself has already said that he doesn’t think ‘Joker’ needs a sequel.
Now the director has come forward to clarify these conflicting rumors. (via Indie Wire)
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“I can honestly say to you there was no meeting that ever happened on October 7 where I marched in. First of all, if you know me and my career, that’s not my style. I made a huge comedy at Warner Bros., ‘The Hangover,’ and I didn’t suddenly become a comedy factory producer, like, oh, let’s just churn out movies. Bradley [Cooper] and I have a production company at Warners. I’ve been at Warners for 15, 16 years. We have two things in development at all times, not 40 things like some people. I’m not the kind of guy who goes marching in saying I want these 40 titles. I just don’t have the energy.”
As for the rumors about Phillips wanting to direct multiple DC origins movies:
“When I pitched them ‘Joker,’ it wasn’t a movie, it was, let’s do a whole label. They shut that down quickly and I get it. Who am I to walk in and start a label at a film studio? But they said, let’s do this one.”
That information was previously rumored. It was expected that ‘Joker’ would be part of the “DC Black Label,” more mature artsy pics that did not connect to the mainstream DC movies. But it wasn’t. It’s just its own standalone movie. But this probably explains those rumors about him pitching multiple DC origins movies.
So, while Phillips may not have designs on directing a slew of DC movies, what about a ‘Joker’ sequel?
“Well, a movie doesn’t make a billion dollars and they don’t talk about a sequel. Joaquin and I have publicly said we’ve been talking about a sequel since week two of shooting because it’s a fun thing to talk about. But the [THR] article was referring to other things than that that were just frankly untrue. I don’t know how it gets started, if it’s some assistant trying to gain street cred with a writer.
“Here’s the real truth about a sequel. While Joaquin and I have talked about it, and while touring the world with Warner Bros executives — going to Toronto, and Venice, and other places — of course, we’re sitting at dinner and they’re saying, ‘So, have you thought about…?’ But, talking about contracts, there’s not a contract for us to even write a sequel, we’ve never approached Joaquin to be in a sequel. Will that happen? Again, I just think the article was anticipatory at best.”
So Phillips, Phoenix, and Phillips’ co-writer Scott Silver are not signed for a sequel. Does ‘Joker’ actually necessitate a sequel? It’s not the typical comic book movie which are built to be franchised. Where do you go from here? Batman is off-limits because he has his own franchise. What else do you do with the Joker?
Jax's earliest memory is of watching 'Batman,' followed shortly by a memory of playing Batman & Robin with a friend, which entailed running outside in just their underwear and towels as capes. When adults told them they couldn't run around outside in their underwear, both boys promptly whipped theirs off and ran around in just capes.
