It might have been surprising to some people to see Martin Scorsese listed among the producers of Warner Bros. newest movie, which will detail the origin story of Batman’s nemesis, The Joker.
Scorsese has avoided movies like this for his whole career, writes The Hollywood Reporter, so why would he be interested now? And on top of that, why would Warners executives want a “legendarily controlling and free-spending talent” involved in their movie?
The Hollywood Reporter says that the answer is in the actor who will play The Joker himself. Sources say Warners will try to make an ambitious attempt to use Scorsese to bring Leonardo DiCaprio on to play the role. Scorsese’s involvement does elevate and diversify the studio’s contributions to the world of comic-book movies, creating the potential to “make awards-worthy films” like The Dark Night trilogy, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
Sources do say, however, that Scorsese’s deal to produce isn’t done yet and there is no offer for DeCaprio. However, maybe it is a sign that the Warner Bros. want to hire more “serious filmmakers.”
DiCaprio, 42, is one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood, though he usually refuses to star in traditional franchise pictures. He has most frequently collaborated with Scorsese, and they have made five successful films together over 20 years.
Not everyone is pleased with this idea though. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Jared Leto, the actor who portrayed The Joker in Suicide Squad last summer, and is slated to reprise the character for a sequel and another spinoff movie, was surprised by the plans. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Leto has made his displeasure clear to his CAA agents and rival agency WME has been using the concern as a prime time to court him.
Warner Bros. originally launched its DC Extended Universe to compete with Marvel Studios. Now, The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Bros. wants to branch off with stand-alone movies that are not connected to the DC world. The new movies will have “non-traditional takes on the heroes and villains of DC” writes The Hollywood Reporter, and in doing so, they are hoping to attract actors and filmmakers who don’t normally work in the comic-book movie world.
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