Joaquin Phoenix looks gaunt as The Joker

THE actor looked gaunt in character as the Joker in the upcoming stand-alone movie about the villain’s origins.

THE director of the upcoming Joker movie has shared a photo of Joaquin Phoenix in character as the comic book villain.

Todd Phillips posted the photo on Instagram with the caption “Arthur”. It’s understood that character’s name will be Arthur Fleck.

“Under the direction of Todd Phillips, the film centres around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, stand-alone story not seen before on the big screen,” the film’s synopsis says.

The movie, which is due out in October 2019, will be an “exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale”.

Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker in an upcoming film based on the character’s backstory. Picture: SteveSands/NewYorkNewswire/MEGA

Joaquin Phoenix on the set of The Joker. Picture: BackGrid

The film is being produced by Martin Scorsese and will co-star Robert De Niro and Marc Maron.

It’s rumoured De Niro will play a talk-show host and Maron will play an agent who gets the Joker character booked on that show.

“It is true ladies and gentlemen, I have been added to the cast of the new Joker movie being directed by Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro,” Maron said on his WTF podcast. “Two of the greatest actors that have ever graced the screen.

Marc Maron.

Robert De Niro.

“I got this gig, and I’m gonna do a couple of scenes maybe with Robert De Niro and Joaquin Phoenix, the next in the line of succession in great actors, f**k yes I’m going to do that. Of course, I’m going to do that.”

Phoenix joins Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto as stars who have played The Joker on the big screen.

Jared Leto as The Joker.

Heath Ledger as The Joker.

Jack Nicholson as The Joker.

The film takes place in Gotham City in the 1980s. Picture: BackGrid

The set ticks all the boxes for creepiness. Picture: BackGrid