There’s no question that Heath Ledger has set the bar super high with his Oscar-winning portrayal of Joker.
Many are wondering if Todd Phillips’ “Joker” will emulate Ledger or will it differ completely? It’s already been confirmed that Joaquin Phoenix’s version will have nothing to do with Gotham City’s mob. But fans are asking, what more?
During the recent Venice Film Festival (where the film received an 8-minute standing ovation from audiences), Phillips went into detail about the difference between Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck and the iconic DC villain in 2008’s “The Dark Knight”.
“I don’t think it was this Joker’s goal to watch the world burn. This Joker had an entirely different goal in mind. In the beginning of the movie he’s sitting here doing this (forcing himself to smile and frown) in the very first scene, and it’s a guy searching for identity,” the 48-year-old said.
The filmmaker added, “I think he becomes, mistakenly, a symbol, and really what he was looking for was adulation. He was never looking for the world to burn, this Joker. As for the past ones, that’s a different thing. But our guy, that wasn’t his goal.”
Phillips also emphasised that the latest Arthur Fleck truly believes that his purpose on earth is to bring laughter to people. “He thought he was put here on this Earth to make people laugh and bring joy to the world, and he made a few bad decisions along the way, but no, his goal was not that. I think he became a mistaken leader, so to speak, or a symbol. Even (Robert) De Niro, (who plays) Murray (Franklin), says it to him. And Arthur says, ‘No, I’m not political.’ He just didn’t get what he was creating,” he shared.
You can check out 8 more fun facts about “Joker” here.
Source: Comic Book.
