Leonardo DiCaprio Rumoured for Scorsese’s Joker Prequel

Posted by on September 1st, 2017   Filed under: Action, Books/Comics, Rumours

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Last week comic book fans were shocked when Warner Brothers announced that they were developing a standalone Joker origin movie that would not star Jared Leto but rather a new actor in the role. (Jared Leto himself was also reportedly caught off guard, which is probably why they quickly followed it up with the announcement of a second Joker spin-off with him and Margot Robbie attached to star.) What was even crazier, however, was the fact that Martin Scorsese was supposedly on board to produce the Joker prequel. Why would Scorsese have any interest in such a thing and why would Warner Brothers even be pursuing him for it? The answer, it seems, may be to attract a particular A-list star for the lead role that Scorsese has worked with many times before. Hit the jump for more details.

According to THR, the higher-ups at Warner Brothers have their sights set on Leonardo DiCaprio to play the lead role in their upcoming Joker origin story. They are hoping that the involvement of his long-time collaborator Martin Scorsese can lure him to the project despite the fact that he has never made a comic book movie and has generally resisted major franchise films up until now. At the moment, it is unclear if any discussions have taken place, but no offer has been made to DiCaprio and Scorsese’s deal to produce is still being finalized.

This does not really coincide with the original report that they wanted a younger actor to play The Joker, although DiCaprio is a few years younger than Leto (he will turn 43 this year while Leto turns 46). It does, however, fit with the rumours that they are trying to attract A-list, Oscar-calibre talent to their comic book movies by setting up unique standalone projects where they have more creative freedom. I’m not totally buying the fact that they recruited Scorsese just to get to DiCaprio, but it does make sense that they are looking to reclaim the critical acclaim and artistic credibility that they had with Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. Do you think Leonardo DiCaprio would make a good Joker?



  • pcch7

    I’m shocked that Scorsese is doing this. First I’ve read of it

  • Beat_C

    as you point out, dicaprio is only a couple of years younger than jared leto, so this does not make much sense. it just sounds like big mess. again.

  • Deven Science

    An origin story should have a guy in his 20s, for crying out loud.

  • ReelJunkie

    This whole thing is still baffling to me.

  • Loren

    I’m not surprised actually.. because Scorsese wants to work in every genre. Was hoping he’d do sci-fi, but he’s trying out the superhero one instead.

  • Peter Harrison

    I’d love to see DiCaprio’s Joker. Directed by Marty, this could be a very sweet thing. Leo has the bigness to pull off a masterclass over-the-top comic book performance. I’d far rather see this than another solid but safe Marvel movie. Bring it on.

  • 9No

    Wasn’t Jack Nicholson like 50 when he did the Joker origin in Batman 1989?

  • 9No

    Scorsese is only producing, that headline is kind of confusing. :) I would have been interested if he was behind the camera, but it’s Todd Phillips that’s on tap to direct..