In what may be considered quite the casting news, Robert De Niro is being considered to join the cast of the upcoming Joker origin film. First confirmed by That Hashtag Show who recently uncovered several different casting descriptions for the Warner Bros. film, including one for a 65-75-year-old character named “Murray Franklin”. According to their reports, this character would play a strong supporting role.
The reason this casting news makes sense is De Niro’s relationship with Martin Scorsese, who will co-produce the film. De Niro has worked with Marty on films such as Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and Casino. Since this Joker standalone movie is set to emulate some of those films, it does feel like a great choice to add him to the film.
Reports about the project have suggested that it will be the first in a line of standalone DC movies, which exist outside of the DC Extended Universe continuity. A recent article confirmed just as much, and that the label of standalone DC films could be dubbed “DC Dark” or “DC Black”, which could be an interesting look at a grittier version of the DC universe.
The currently-untitled film will have Todd Phillips as director and Joaquin Phoenix has been in talks to play the Clown Prince of Crime.