There could be moreJokeron the table forJoaquin Phoenixif this first film is a success. While that may sound like a no-brainer in this day and age—especially for a comic book adaptation—the whole idea behindJokeroriginated as a way to moveawayfrom franchise storytelling. For those unaware,Jokeris an original, standalone story loosely based on the titular comics villain, with Phoenix playing an aspiring standup comedian in 1970s Gotham City.
The film drawsalmost nothing from the comics, and it began as a pitch from co-writer/directorTodd Phillipsto Warner Bros. as a way to createa one-off, character-centric adaptationof a DC Comics character with no strings attached. At the time whenJokerwas announced, Warner Bros. was in the midst of reworking its plans for its DC movies, devaluing interconnectivity in favor of really nailing individual movies.Jokerwould go one better, recasting the title role and telling a story that had nothing to do with the existing DC movies. The idea was that one-offs like this could attract major talent like Phoenix and Philips without the fear of having to sign a contract to appear in four additional sequels and spinoffs, or stick to previously established universe rules.
But it sounds like Phillips and Phoenix had such a good time makingJokerthat they’re not ruling anything out. Speaking withTotal Film, Phillips actually sounds pretty keen on the idea ofJoker 2:
“One thing I will tell you: I would do anything with Joaquin, any day of the week,. There’s nobody like him. If he was willing to do it, and if people show up to this movie, and Warners came to us and said, ‘You know what? If you guys could think of something…’ Well, I have a feeling that he and I could think of something pretty cool.”
This doesn’t mean there absolutely will be aJokersequel, but given the entire concept behind the film, it’s definitely interesting to note that Phillips isn’t at all opposed to the notion of continuing the story.
Of course we first have to see how audiences and critics respond toJoker, which is getting a splashy debut at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival before hitting theaters on October 4th. If the R-rated film makes an impression, and if Phoenix is interested in making his first-ever sequel, we might just seeJokerbecome a franchise after all.
