Actor Joaquin Phoenix's version of The Joker has not gone down well with a few netizens, here's why.
New Delhi: With Jack Nicholson's rendition of the agent of chaos aka The Joker in 1989 and then the brilliant Heath Ledger reprising the role in The Dark Knight, the pressure is immense for Joaquin Phoenix to walk in the joker shoes in Todd Phillips's Joker.
Unlike the previous roles, the 2019 Joker is an emo-boy thrown into a malicious society rather than a vat of radioactive waste. There's also a human side to him. Rather than a freewheeling villain, the new joker takes care of an ailing mother. "I used to think my life was a tragedy but now I think it is a comedy," he says in the recently dropped teaser. Take a look and feel the deep feels:
The new version seeks to provide a social commentary on the present times but a few die-hard Joker fans are not too pleased. Not only is Joaquin Phoenix without the signature purple suit and green hair (he wears a wig), the name of the character has also got a makeover. The original character is named Jack Napier but Todd Phillips' character is named Arthur Fleck or A. Fleck.
Some netizens are insinuating that it is a subtle dig at actor Ben Affleck.
The trailer for the Joker-movie is ... confusing. I mean, why on earth, DC, why destroy the plotline we all know? I think we all were fine with Jack Napier falling into that tank of chemicals (though it gave me nightmares for 2 years or so) ...
— DawiL (@DawiLDanger) April 3, 2019
The Joker's name being A. Fleck has to be a joke on Ben Affleck, right? And yes, that's the only thought I have about that movie.
— Nick Hanover (@Nick_Hanover) April 3, 2019
Damn this shit deep deep 😔 #Joker pic.twitter.com/xrKbzsfIDN
— Tsume (@enochhcone) April 4, 2019
Though this Joker won't fill you with fear, it will make you feel despair and sadness, and perhaps provide an insight into the mind of a mental health patient. The emo-boy quotes from the trailer are drumming up quite a social media storm. What is your take on 2019 Joker?
Modern Day Storyline: Throw him in the society, not chemicals.#JokerMovie pic.twitter.com/Xi21qpHtol
— Saurabh Penkar (@isaurabhP) April 4, 2019
This moment and this moment alone, Joaquin Phoenix has sold me on his iteration of the Joker. #JokerMovie pic.twitter.com/sPiTEr9M9T
— Cifiriv (@Virific) April 3, 2019
#Joker “I used to think my life was a tragedy, but now I realize it’s a comedy.” #JokerMovie pic.twitter.com/XbrLGzcdti
— Emilia Ⓥ #Joker Phoenix (@laseriefila) April 3, 2019
Last Updated Apr 4, 2019, 2:37 PM IST