Just a day after Warner Bros. Pictures released the first poster forJoker, the studio has debuted the film’s first trailer, which offers a preview ofJoaquin Phoenixas DC Comics’ notorious Clown Prince of Crime.
Directed byThe Hangoverfranchise filmmaker Todd Phillips from a script he co-wrote withThe Fighterscreenwriter Scott Silver,Jokercasts Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a man “disregarded by society” who eventually becomes one of Gotham’s greatest villains. The film’s official synopsis describes it as “a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.”
The film’sfirst traileroffers a broad look at the circumstances that lead Arthur down the path to becoming Joker, hinting at the conflicts that eventually break him, and concludes with a shot of him in what appears to be the version of the character’s costume and clown makeup he’ll introduce in the movie.
Along with Phoenix in the title role, the film’s cast also includesDeadpool 2actress Zazie Beetz, as well as Bill Camp (Red Sparrow), Frances Conroy (American Horror Story), Brett Cullen (Narcos), Glenn Fleshler (Billions), Douglas Hodge (Penny Dreadful), Josh Pais (Going in Style), and Shea Whigham (First Man). Comedian and actor Marc Maron (GLOW) also plays a supporting role in the film.
Given that Jared Leto introduced his own version of Joker in 2016’sSuicide Squadthat is firmly set within the studio’s DC Extended Universe,Jokerisn’t expected to connect with the rest of the DCEU, and instead exist as a stand-alone feature.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, Joker made his comics debut in April 1940’sBatman#1, and went on to become one of the most iconic villains in the entire DC Comics universe. Over the years, the character has been portrayed on the screen on several occasions, with Cesar Romero playing the character in the 1960s TV series, Jack Nicholson playing the role in Tim Burton’s 1989Batmanfeature, and Heath Ledger winning a posthumous Academy Award for portraying Joker in 2008’sThe Dark Knight. Star Wars franchise actor Mark Hamill has also famously voiced the character in multiple iterations of Batman animated series over the years.
