Todd Phillips Denies Reports of a Joker Sequel and Further Solo Villain Movies
Conflicting reports of a Joker sequel and other movies based on popular DC Comics villains being on the table have been addressed by the party concerned. Director Todd Phillips weighed in on chatter of a meeting with Warner Bros. executives and the status of future productions.
Various outlets, from Variety to The Hollywood Reporter, said he took a meeting with Warner Bros. Chairman Toby Emmerich to discuss a sequel and additional films starring Darkseid and Lex Luthor. Talking to The Playlist, Phillips firmly dismissed the stories:
Related: Todd Phillips Reveals Behind The Scenes Photo from Joker Hinting at Catwoman
“Yeah that was written about today, and I have to be honest, it came out of nowhere. It referred to a meeting that was never had. I thought it was anticipatory at best.”
He adds there is talk in passing of a follow-up but nothing serious:
“Obviously, sequels have been discussed when a movie that cost $60 million made $1 billion, but we have not had any serious conversations about it.”
Phillips has stated in interviews leading up to Joker’s release he’d be willing to work with Joaquin Phoenix again if they came up with something. Though, the picture was intended as a one-off.
Joker – with its real-world setting, smaller budget, and practical effects – was Phillips’ pitch to WB at the premiere of his film War Dogs. And inspiring them to “do what they [Marvel] can’t” has paid off, as anyone can see.
Related: DC vs. Marvel War “Is On” Claims Joker Director Todd Phillips
Standalone Spinoff Potential
Warner very much intends to capitalize on Joker’s success if reports of further films about DC Comics rogues are to be believed. Two-Face might be next on their list but Matthew McConaughey could get there first if The Batman spawns sequels of its own.
Related — Rumor: Matthew McConaughey up for Two-Face in The Batman
Over in Metropolis, Superman’s greatest human enemy is reportedly under consideration for a standalone origin story.
Rumors first emerged in August Warner Bros. was considering a movie centering around Lex Luthor if Joker was successful. Ryan Gosling is allegedly who they have in mind to star but there’s no deal to speak of there either.
Related — Rumor: Ryan Gosling Could Be in a Lex Luthor Solo Movie
Then we have the being who is the bane of the Justice League and Fourth World. Darkseid’s intro into the DC Extended Universe has been delayed since Justice League’s ending was changed.
A movie about the despotic Lord of Apokolips isn’t set in stone but he is slated to be in Ava DuVernay’s New Gods film, co-written by Tom King.
A Joker sequel more than likely won’t delve more into the backstory of young Bruce Wayne. Matt Reeves is taking care of that with The Batman. Joker 2 will probably go deeper into the mind of Arthur Fleck, either in Arkham or after he gets out.
Sequel or no, Joker is the most successful R-rated release ever, on top of being the biggest October opening of all time. The fourth DC movie to hit a billion, it officially is more profitable than Marvel movies such as Avengers: Endgame.
Joker will lead the charge for the DC film library when HBO Max launches next year.
What say you, dear reader? Joker sequel, yes or no? What about Darkseid and Lex Luthor? Let us know your thoughts.
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