Joker movie: Has the Joaquin Phoenix 'Joker' origin movie just been given a working title?

Suicide Squad was the first appearance of Jared Leto as the painted-faced villain and his portrayal went down badly.

As Jokers go, Heath Ledger is a hard act to follow.

One man who might be able to step into the infamous role of the Joker is Joaquin Phoenix.

Has the Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ origin movie just been given a working title?

The Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ origin movie has been given the production working title Romeo.

Of course, this is just until a cinematic title is finalised, as its hard to see how the Shakespearian star-crossed-lover fits into the Joker origin.

Phoenix, a genuine odd-ball in his own right, has been cast as the Joker in an origin story movie written and directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover and Road Trip).

The Joker origin movie starring Phoenix will begin production in September, according to That Hashtag show.

Lending credibility to the project’s likelihood of coming to fruition, some of the key production roles have now been filled.

Shayna Markowitz (Ocean’s 8) joins as casting director, Laurence Sher (the Hangover trilogy) as the cinematographer, Mark Friedberg (Noah) will be the production designer and Mark Bridges (Fifty Shades of Grey) takes up the job of costume designer for the Joker origin movie.

The Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ origin movie is said to be inspired by the Killing Joke comic written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland, and the work of Martin Scorcese.

Scorcese is also on board as an executive producer for the Joker movie.

The Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ origin movie will take place in a separate continuity to the Justice League/Wonder Woman/Suicide Squad/Ben Affleck-Bat Man universe, making it feel even more like a stand-alone movie.

Hopefully, it’ll stand well alone and avoid being tarred with the same haphazard brush DC movies are known for.

DC has a habit of changing their plans with their movies having rethinks, reshuffles and returns to drawing boards.

Not to mention their movies aren’t always blockbusters, particularly when it comes to reinventions of the Joker character.

Cynics would say there’s a high likelihood The Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ origin movie may not happen, but given the roles filled and the working title, it’s safe to be cautiously optimistic.