Casting the role of the Joker, as with Batman, comes with controversy and backlash. Though when Joaquin Phoenix was cast I remember hearing far less complaints and more, “This will be interesting, I’m in,”-type comments. With Joker wowing audiences, it safe to say Phoenix was the right choice.

The writer/director of the film, Todd Phillips recently shot down a rumor about Leonardo DiCaprio being considered for the role before Phoenix signed on. While speaking with The New York Times, Phillips said they had a particular actor in mind when writing the film, you can check out what he had to say below.

“We wrote the movie for Joaquin. He was not keen on jumping into costume in any comic-book movie. I kept waiting for him to just say, ‘O.K., I’m in,’ And he never did that. You just never get a yes. All you get is more questions. It wasn’t an easy decision, but [Phillips] kept saying, ‘Let’s just be bold. Let’s do something.’”

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I have no doubt that DiCaprio could have pulled off the Joker, but Phillips had a vision that only had eyes for Phoenix. There is certainly Oscar buzz surrounding Phoenix and I’ve seen a few reviews calling the film as a whole, a masterpiece.

While recent films such as Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Shazam! have Joker maybe the one to totally turn DC around as well as showing them a potential new genre to explore with their characters, and one that they where  might have a chance of topping Marvel.

Joker brings the laugh to theaters October 4.

Are you glad the went with Phoenix? Let us kno in the comments down below!

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Source: The New York Times (via Comicbookmovie.com)

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