Let no one tell you that Warner Bros. and DC Films are predictable beasts. According to Deadline, The Hangover and War Dogs helmer Todd Philips is in talks to co-write and direct an origin film for the Batman villain, the Joker. Yes. You heard that right. The Joker is getting his own movie, but that’s not even the most interesting part.

This film is also set to launch a new banner under DC Comics that will essentially allow “otherworld”-type scenarios. As a result, Jared Leto, who plays the Clown Prince of Crime in the DCEU will not star in this particular film, though Leto will reprise his role in Suicide Squad 2. Again, it’s important to know that this banner will have stories that aren’t really tackled in the DCEU.

Co-writing with Phillips is The Finest Hours and The Fighter writer Scott Silver. Also in talks to be involved as producer is Martin Scorsese, which seems like a bit of an odd choice…until you hear what the story is set to be about.

According to the outlet, this currently-untitled Joker-centric movie will take place in the ’80s, and will be a gritty crime drama that shows what it took for the Joker to become the master criminal we know him to be in the comics and movies.

This is both amazing and confusing. On one level, we love that Warner Bros. is looking outside the box, and their choice to go with Phillips is honestly inspired, given his track record (ignoring the Hangover sequels) of well made crime movies with a comedic edge or comedy movies with crime elements. This is a kind of sensibility that one would expect in a Joker film, only with a much darker tone. And of course, anything that Scorsese is involved with is at least worth a look in our book.

That being said, this could be a very confusing marketing move for them. Will audiences understand when they start to create different versions of the same character? We hope so. Because this method allows them to continue on with the DCEU and their worldbuilding, all while allowing other directors to give a unique vision without being restricted by all the films that came before it.

Are you excited to hear about this Joker film? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Deadline