Do We Want a Batman Film From Joker’s Todd Phillips? 

There’s been plenty of talk about Todd Phillip’s Joker and it’s future. That’s not surprising given that the “character study” has made over $333.5 million in the US and Canada, and $729.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $1.063 billion.

Money talks and everyone has a price. Especially in Hollywood.

The movie was planned as a one-off and given the expectations, that would be enough. But when you factor in a huge box office…circumstance change. 

Phillips went on record that he would like to see a Batman movie from Joker’s Gotham City.

“It’s a beautiful Gotham. What I would like to see someone tackle is what Batman looks like from that Gotham,” Phillips told Variety’s Marc Malkin at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where he was being awarded with Variety’s Creative Impact in Directing Award.

The only drawback is he wouldn’t want to be the one to bring this to life. “I’m not saying I’m going to do that. What was interesting to me about the inclusion of Batman in our movie was, ‘What kind of Batman does that Gotham make?’ That’s all I meant by that,” he said.

In all the press for the movie Phillips was clear that Joker would stand on its own and not be a part of the DC extended universe, especially the Robert Pattinson’s The Batman.

Joker became the first R-rated movie in history to earn more than $1 billion at the global box office, so whatever plans they had for the project quickly changed. Even if those involved weren’t prepared for its success. 

“The truth is we never knew it, honestly. Joaquin and I were operating at a place where we kept thinking, ‘Let’s just make something that doesn’t end our careers,’” Phillips said. “We didn’t have any thought it could actually be good. We were blinded by the movie somehow; this was a weird one.”

joker got plenty of attention and whetted audiences’ appetite for more. Which would include a showing with Batman. In fact, a Phillips’ Batman would be just as intriguing given how he showcased Joker in a more realistic light. Another chapter would be icing on the cake.

What do you think? More of Phoenix’s Joker with Batman in the mix?