Warner Bros. has finally released the first trailer for Joker which stars Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character. This solo movie will focus on the man the Joker was before becoming one of Batman’s most iconic enemies.
Phoenix joins a long line of famous faces who have played the character and is already being compared to notable performances by Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight, 2008), Mark Hamill and Jack Nicholson (Batman, 1989).
When the solo film was first announced, many were not sure what to make of the project as it exists separately to Jared Leto’s storyline in the DCEU which we have already started to see in Suicide Squad.
A first look at Phoenix’s Joker was released in a camera test (shown above) last year and it convinced some fans that he could pull it off in his own way. However, many remained skeptical on whether he and director Todd Philips (The Hangover) could pull off a solo Joker movie… until now.
While a cover of “Smile” plays, the eerie trailer shows Phoenix’s character residing in Gotham in 1981, being treated miserably by society, attempting to become a stand-up comedian and turning to a chaotic life of crime when he fails to do so.
The gritty scenes portray the character’s haunting descent into madness as he fights to remain smiling as his mother once told him to do. We see the character apply his crazy clown makeup, donning the vibrant green hair and smirk menacingly at the camera.
Phoenix’s transformation into the character is palpable as the actor has clearly lost significant weight for the role and seems to have the iconic Joker laugh down.
Watch the trailer below:
We’re also shown who else is cast in this creepy film as Phoenix smiles at Zazie Beetz, star of Atlanta and Deadpool 2. Oscar-winner Robert De Niro can be seen performing as well towards the end.
Of course, many have already compared Joaquin’s acting style to Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning portrayal as well as Mark Hamill’s. But fans are feeling more convinced by this trailer and already believe that Phoenix’s portrayal will earn him an Academy Award.
Either way, we are excited to see Joaquin’s unique take on an iconic role and we believe he will do the character justice.
Joker is due to be released on the 3rd of October in Australia and on the 4th of October in the US and UK.
Are you excited about Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker? Let us know @CelebMix!