Todd Phillips Returning to Write Joker Sequel

Todd Phillips will be back to co-write the planned sequel to his Joker film. THR reports that Phillips has closed a deal to write the sequel film, with the update coming in a profile of the top 100 attorneys in Hollywood that included Phillips’ lawyer Warren Dern, who also represents Zack Snyder and Amy Poehler.

There were reports early on after the Oscar-nominated comic book-based drama opened in October of 2019 that Warner Bros. wanted to move on a sequel. Phillips said at the time that while he was not in talks to return, he was open to the idea.

Phillips co-wrote the film with Scott Silver and it is not clear if he will return as well. Joker starred Phoenix in a more grounded take on the Batman villain’s origin and was a huge hit for Warner Bros. and DC Films, grossing $1.074 billion worldwide and earning 11 Oscar nominations. It won two — one for Pheonix for Best Actor, and one for Hildur Guðnadóttir for Best Original Score.

Details on a potential plot have not been revealed, though Warner Bros. is said to have a sequel option on Phoenix to return.