It's pretty obvious that
Joker isn't going to be sticking to the source material, as it's a totally original take on the Clown Prince of Crime's origin story which doesn't appear to be borrowing all that much from the comic books.
Now, though, director Todd Phillips has revealed that star Joaquin Phoenix really wasn't on board with
any references to the world of Batman!
"[Joaquin] never liked saying the name Thomas Wayne," the filmmaker explains.
"It would have been easier for him if the movie was called ‘Arthur’ and had nothing to do with any of that stuff. But in the long run, I think he got it and appreciated it."
Without any links at all to the wider DC Universe, this really would have just been a Joker movie in name only! As we noted earlier today, Phoenix and Phillips also butted heads over the actor's weight, and while they agreed that the actor needed to change his appearance, the star was reluctant to slim down for yet another movie role.
"It’s a horrible way to live," Phoenix says. "I think [Arthur] should be kind of heavy. Todd was like, ‘I think you should do the real thin person.’" Ultimately, he gave in to the filmmaker's vision and lost a whopping 52lbs to play this version of the Harlequin of Hate!
Are you excited to watch Joker next month?