Warner Bros.’ The Joker will explore the title character’s days as an ordinary man before he became The Clown Prince Of Crime. Joaquin Phoenix takes on the role in a film that is being described as a hard-boiled crime drama that is also a gritty character study and a broader cautionary tale. The film will draw inspiration from “The Killing Joke,” Alan Moore’s comic book story arc that is considered to be the Joker’s origins story. And now we have our first look at the character. Well, sort of.

Director Todd Phillips recently released the first image of Phoenix as the unnamed person who goes from failed comedian to insane killer clown. Check it out here below.

Anyone else getting some Andy Kaufman vibes when looking at Phoenix as Arthur? Well, that’s who Phillips named in the caption. So we should probably assume that’s his first name. Or it could be the character’s stage name. Regardless, we have something to call him other than The Joker.

Other than that, there is not much else go on. Besides, we know that The Joker is Arthur’s story from failed comedian to Clown Prince Of Crime. So showing Arthur in the Joker getup would just spoil the film right from the get-go. The first image will also give photoshoppers the chance to put on that green hair, white makeup, and ruby lips. So have it.

Now we know that WB is planning to release these films as a part of a new DC banner expanding the DC universe with new and unique storylines that aren’t a part of the current DCEU. And we know that the film will draw from familiar story arcs. Everything else is just pure speculation.

There was even a time where Alec Baldwin was reportedly cast as Thomas Wayne with a Donald Trump personality. But that never panned out, as the actor walked away from the role just days after it was announced.

The Joker also a href=”https://www.geeksofdoom.com/2018/07/20/zazie-beetz-joker” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>stars (Deadpool 2), who is set to play a single mother who catches the interest of Phoenix’s character before he becomes the Joker; Robert De Niro as a talk show host who is a key influence in the Joker’s life; Francis Conroy as the Joker’s mother; and Marc Maron as the Joker’s agent.

The film opens in theaters on October 4, 2019.

[Source: Todd Phillip’s Instagram]