Things We Saw Today: Our First Look at Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker

Todd Phillips’ (The Hangover) Joker origin story film is still over a year away, but the director has released the first image of Joaquin Phoenix as the man who would be Joker. The picture was posted on Instagram with “Arthur” written below, which will presumably be the Joker’s name. Phillips wrote the script with Scott Silver (The Fighter), which is described as “a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale of a man disregarded by society who becomes the ultimate supervillain.” Robert De Niro and Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2) are rumored to be joining the film, whose plot has been kept tightly under wraps. There’s no word yet on whether the film follows the popular Joker origin story from Batman: The Killing Joke or if it will be an entirely new backstory.

What do you think of the Joker’s new look?

(via Deadline, image: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)

• This Rick and Morty anime-style opening sequence is pretty groovy. (via Nerdist)
• So is this spot-on Toy Story 3 live-action fan re-creation trailer. (via Daily Dot)
• We make fun of Hawkeye a lot on this website, so here’s a thoughtful counter-point in defense of the MCU character. (via io9)
• Get your 12-sided die ready: Riverdale‘s season three mystery is described as True Detective meets Dungeons and Dragons. (via EW)

Happy Sunday, Mary Suevians, and stay dry to our readers on the East Coast!

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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