The Flickering Myth writing team share their thoughts on the new Joker trailer…
This week, Warner Bros. and DC Films released the final trailer for Joker, director Todd Phillips’ upcoming standalone origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic comic book villain. The movie has been generating a lot of buzz ahead of its festival premiere this September, and there’s even talk that it could find itself in contention come awards season. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here’s what the Flickering Myth writing team made of this latest trailer…
EJ Moreno: Joker looks dark and pretentious, which are two of my favorite things a movie can be, but that worries me on how the mainstream audiences will react. Is this too dark? Will a morose story with no real heroes work? I’ll enjoy it, I’m sure but don’t know if this brings me back to the “DC is too dark” criticisms.
Cameron Frew: The first trailer was an absolute feast for the eyes and ears, whereas this simply adds to my pre-existing hype. Joaquin looks absolutely phenomenal, the world looks like perfect for the Joker to navigate – grimy, nasty and cynical. Give it to me now.
Hasitha Fernando: Wow. This definitely looks extremely promising. And Joaquin Pheonix looks like he’s completely owned the role! A true successor to Ledger’s Joker, 11 years later. Could this also mark the start of WB’s very own ‘DC Black Label’? Only time will tell. The very thought of such a concept makes me giddy with excitement. Yet amidst the sweeping euphoria I have an awful nagging feeling that this will be a very divisive movie, which could harm its box office performance. But positive word of mouth and glowing reviews could turn things around for it eventually. Regardless this is one of my most anticipated flicks for 2019 and I will definitely be there come opening night. Can’t wait…Early Oscar buzz is already swirling around Joaquin Pheonix’s supposedly insane performance and a nomination for cinematographer Lawrence Sher seems like a strong possibility as well..
Gerald James: This honestly looks like the type of thing I want to see more of. Instead of a safe and easy story set amongst the mythos of an established character it seems they’re wanting to take the idea and use it to tell a completely unique story. Only the release will tell if I’m right but this is the one movie coming this fall that I know for certain I’ll be watching opening night. But then again I could be wrong. Maybe the final scene will take place in the ACE Chemical Plant and I’ll never be able to trust cinema again.
Helen Murdoch: This looks amazing! Really liking the tone, and am glad they’re not giving too much away. Phoenix is one of the most exciting actors working today so have high hopes!
Villordsutch: With the first trailer I wasn’t on board with a film that was creating a backstory for the most elusive villain in comic book history. Now here with our second helping, I’m feeling even more unsure with this movie, as the Joker seems to be portrayed as the downtrodden anti-hero of the people. Joker (though it has an amazing cast and crew behind it) is possibly the only Batman inspired film I won’t be going to watch at the cinema, due to it being surplus to requirements.
Tom Jolliffe: This evokes a lot of great films I love (none of which happen to be superhero universe films). I love the style, the tone and Phoenix appears to be in mesmeric form if the two trailers are anything to go by.
Martin Izzard: This is kind of the definition of what a trailer should be. It shows enough to peak interest but doesn’t promise loads or give really anything away. I’m intrigued as a comic book fan, a big fan of previous jokers and as a big fan of Phoenix. And I like that this movie is at least seemingly unrelated to the wider DC universe. If Robert Pattinson turns up in a batsuit, I’m going to be angry.
Tai Freligh: Looks intriguing from a cinematography viewpoint – dark and dreary and muted. Very grim. I’m still not sure what the plot is or what we’re supposed to get out of the movie other than a deeper understanding of the Joker and to perhaps feel empathy for him? Still too dark for my tastes, so I’ll not be seeing it. I’m sure it will be a beautifully shot film, but may not do well at the box office with more mainstream viewers.
Allen Christian: I still don’t see the point. I see the point even less than when they first announced this things. This takes the Joker from being a likeable antagonist to being a completely unlikable protagonist. I don’t get it.
Ricky Church: Definitely intriguing. Phoenix looks like he’s going to give a great performance as Arthur/Joker. I’m not one for Joker origins, but I’m all for comic book films to do something drastically different with the genre and this looks to be just that. It certainly has already set itself apart from previous DC and Marvel films. The cinematography and visuals look stunning too. I’m looking forward to this.
Tom Beasley: I think this looks potentially really interesting, but it also appears to be VERY close to King of Comedy, almost to the point of being a depressing remake, without the blackly comic edge. I just don’t know how excited I can get for something so obviously morose. The jury is very much out!
So, there’s certainly plenty of intrigue among our writers, although the question continues to linger as to whether we really need an exploration into the Joker’s origin. We’ll find out in a little over a month when Joker opens in cinemas, but in the meantime, let us know what you make of the final trailer, and whether you’re excited for the film…
Joker centers around Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.
Joker is set for release on October 4th 2019 and stars Joaquin Phoenix (The Sisters Brothers), Robert De Niro (Goodfellas), Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), Bill Camp (Red Sparrow), Frances Conroy (American Horror Story), Brett Cullen (Narcos), Glenn Fleshler (Billions), Douglas Hodge (Penny Dreadful), Marc Maron (GLOW), Josh Pais (Motherless Brooklyn), Shea Whigham (Kong: Skull Island), Douglas Hodge (Robin Hood) and Dante Pereira-Olson (You Were Never Really Here).
