Joker (2019 Film)

Joker (2019 Film)

Part of a series on Joker. [View Related Entries]
[View Related Sub-entries]

Updated Dec 08, 2020 at 05:39PM EST by Philipp.

Added Apr 03, 2019 at 02:24PM EDT by Matt.

PROTIP: Press 'i' to view the image gallery, 'v' to view the video gallery, or 'r' to view a random entry.

About

Joker is a 2019 psychological thriller film based on the DC Comics character and Batman supervillain The Joker. Directed by Todd Philips, the film is an origin story for the character and stars Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role.

History

On August 22nd, 2017, Deadline[1] reported that Hangover director Todd Philips would be writing and directing a Joker origin film inspired by the films of Martin Scorsese, who they announced would be producing the film. They wrote that the film would exist outside the continuity of other DC Extended Universe films, such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman, stating "This will be the first film under a new banner that has yet to be named in which WB can expand the canon of DC properties and create unique storylines with different actors playing the iconic characters."

The following year, the film was greenlit by Warner Bros and Joaquin Phoenix was announced as the star.[2]

On September 16th, 2018, director Todd Philips posted a picture of Joaquin Pheonix as the character out of makeup on Instagram, adding the caption "Arthur", which would later be revealed to be the name of Joker's secret identity in the film. The post received more than 84,000 likes in less than one year (shown below).[3]


toddphillips1 # . Follow toddphillips1 # Arthur. 28w 84,470 likes SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 Add a comment... Post


Several days later, on September 1st, 2018, Philips posted a video of a camera test of the character set to the Guess Who song "Laughing". The video featured the first images of the Joker in makeup and received more than 288,000 likes and 2.1 million views in less than one year.[4]



On April 2nd, 2019, DC premiered the trailer for those in attendance at CinemaCon.[5] The following day, Warner Bros premiered the trailer on YouTube, where it received more than 2.1 million views in less than 12 hours (shown below).



Reception

Trailer Reaction

Online, the trailer received mostly positive responses. Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy actor Karen Gillan tweeted,[6] "OH MY GOD just saw the trailer for Joker and it is quite clearly one of my most anticipated films to see ever!!! THAT IS A BIT OF ME wowowowowow." The post received more than 1,000 retweets and 8,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, left). Writer Louis Virtel joked,[7] "Just watched The Joker trailer. I hate origin stories but 'Mediocre man wants to be funny' is the realest villain explanation I've heard yet." The tweeted received more than 1,000 retweets and 8,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, center).

Some, however, were less enthusiastic. Writer Oliver Willis tweeted,[8] "everything about this seems bad – we dont need to know joker's back story – leans way too much into the clown thing – joker w/o batman is unnecessary – i guess its a 70s period piece because… reasons? feels like another step backwards for dc." Within 24 hours, the tweet received more than 130 retweets and 795 likes (shown below, right).


Karen Gillan @karengillan OH MY GOD just saw the trailer for Joker and it is quite clearly one of my most anticipated films to see ever! THAT IS A BIT OF ME wowowowowow 10:15 AM-3 Apr 2019 Louis Virtel @louisvirtel Just watched The Joker trailer. I hate origin stories but "Mediocre man wants to be funny" is the realest villain explanation l've heard yet. 10:18 AM- 3 Apr 2019 Oliver Willis Ф @owillis everything about this seems bad we dont need to know joker's back story leans way too much into the clown thing - joker w/o batman is unnecessary i guess its a 70s period piece because... reasons? feels like another step backwards for do #jokermovie ME Joker Movie 2:24 741M views 9:25 AM - 3 Apr 2019

That day, Twitter[9] published a Moments page on the reaction to the trailer.

Additionally, that day, Redditor [12] DemiFiendRSA posted the trailer in the /r/movies subreddit. The post received more than 47,000 points (91% upvoted) and 6,500 comments in less than 12 hours.

"Incel" Violence Claims

On September 18th, the U.S. Military send around an email warning its members about the risk of violence following screenings of the film. "Posts on social media have made reference to involuntary celibate (“incel”) extremists replicating the 2012 theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, at screenings of the Joker movie at nationwide theaters," the email reads. "Incel extremists idolize violent individuals like the Aurora movie theater shooter. They also idolize the Joker character, the violent clown from the Batman series." The email goes on to tell military personnel to either "run, hide, or fight" in the event of a shooter.[13]

Team,

Posts on social media have made reference to involuntary celibate (“incel”) extremists replicating the 2012 theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, at screenings of the Joker movie at nationwide theaters. This presents a potential risk to DOD personnel and family members, though there are no known specific credible threats to the opening of the Joker on 4 October.

Incels are individuals who express frustration from perceived disadvantages to starting intimate relationships. Incel extremists idolize violent individuals like the Aurora movie theater shooter. They also idolize the Joker character, the violent clown from the Batman series, admiring his depiction as a man who must pretend to be happy, but eventually fights back against his bullies.

When entering theaters, identify two escape routes, remain aware of your surroundings, and remember the phrase “run, hide, fight.” Run if you can. If you’re stuck, hide (also referred to as “sheltering in place”), and stay quiet. If a shooter finds you, fight with whatever you can.

** this is a condensed version of an HQ Army Materiel Command, G-3, Protection Division Security message **

The email lead to a controversy following various claims by journalists about the film and its titular character inciting violence and an incel uprising, reminiscent of the Gamers Rise Up and We Live In a Society memes which have grown in popularity over the recent years and became closely associated with the Joker. In reply to the controversy, on September 27th, the film premiere disinvited interview press and restricted the red carpet to photo-only.[14]

J*ker Self-Censorship

On August 10th, 2019, verified Twitter user @mallory_andrews tweeted "Now cancel J*KER," voluntarily censoring the name of the film, with the tweet gaining over 20 retweets and 300 likes in two months (shown below, left).[15] On the same day, Twitter user @Mister_Batfleck made a post poking fun at the user's decision to censor the name of the film, with the tweet gaining over 100 retweets and 680 likes in the same period (shown below, right).[16]


Mallory Andrews @mallory_andrews Now cancel J*KER 12:37 PM - 10 Aug 2019 MisterBatfleck @Mister_Batfleck T agree, let's cancel "J*KER" Meanwhile, be sure to go see JOKER in theaters on October 4th Mallory Andrews @mallory_andrews Now cancel J*KER 10:46 PM - 10 Aug 2019

In the following months, more posts in which Twitter users voluntarily censored the name of the film were posted online, with other users making fun of the self-imposed censorship (examples shown below).


A Murder of Hoes @Philip_Ellis Logging on this morning to find out I got ratio'd by J*ker stans overnight GIF 2:52 AM 26 Sep 2019 The Discourse Lover @Trillburne For the sake of our country and the world, Tr*mp must NOT be allowed to see the J*ker movie. What if it makes him mentally ill 11:59 AM 27 Sep 2019 Upper Echelon Gaming @UE_UpperEchelon A bunch of journalists and media types are legitimately out here censoring the word "Joker" to "J*ker". This is real life... This is 2019.. I can't possibly facepalm hard enough to justify this overly sensitive garbage. 2:09 AM -3 Oct 2019

On October 2nd, 2019, Twitter user @SophNar0747 posted a collection of Tweet screenshots in which the name of the film was censored, criticizing the users who tweeted them (shown below).[17] The tweet received over 740 retweets and 3,400 likes in one day, with a repost to /r/KotakuInAction subreddit gaining over 1,000 upvotes in the same period.


Sophia Narwitz @SophNar0747 If you have a verified account and you're afraid to say 'Joker', Twitter should revoke your checkmark as I'm pretty sure you must be 13 years old to post on this site and clearly you're a baby. Matthew Denby eMrMattDenby Andrew Sampson @andrewsampson_ We all know The J'ker will likely strike a cord with some violent incels Art doesn't just reflect society it also shapes and influences it. It's not that hard to grasp that reality, and accept there is some responsibility involved in making films. Replying to @annaswnsn 420 PM-9/24/19 Twitter for iPhone hahaha honestly i just want a lindsey translyvania @lindseyromain pretty positive i'm just gonna 10 skip J'KER because i don't care that isn't J*ker to win!! remotely on any end of the equa 4:37 PM 10/1/19 Twitter Web App 14 Retweets 350 Likes 9:49 AM 9/15/19 Twitter Web App ta priscilla page @BBW BFF argued with this dude last night 1 Like about the J'ker movie, briefly tweeted our argument (with his name blocked out) then deleted, an deleted my J'ker tweets because l was tired. so he posted them withou my name blocked out & now I'm getting troll'd 9:31 AM - 2 Oct 2019 >

Extra Police Presence at Joker Screenings

In the weeks before the premiere of the film, multiple news sources reported that extra police officers will be stationed at cinemas showing the film in a number of cities across the US.[18][19] On October 1st, 2019, Deadline reported that during Joker screenings in Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, undercover police officers will be present in the cinemas.[20]

If something happens inside one of the screenings, we intend to be able to pacify the situation quickly and conclusively.

There are no specific or credible threats at this time and these events will continue to be closely monitored

In the following days, more news outlets reported on the expected undercover police at Joker screenings in the US, including articles by IGN,[21] The Source[22] and Business Insider.[23]

Joker N-Word Countdown

On September 23rd, 2019, Twitter account @Joaquer (Joker N-Word Countdown), created by YouTuber cer spence, tweeted "11 days until I say it," implying the intention to say a racial slur in the spirit of the Gamer Joker meme on the day of the Joker film premiere.[24] In the following days, @Joaquer made daily tweets promising to say the word, counting down time until the day of the premiere, with tweets receiving a higher amount of likes and retweets every day. The tweet written by @Joaquer 24 hours in advance of the announced time gained over 24,000 retweets and 141,000 likes.[25]


Joker N-Word Countdown @Joaquer 3h 24 hours until say it. t7.6K 1.0K 38к Joker N-Word Countdown @Joaquer Oct 2 2 days until I say it. t6.9K 47K 692 Joker N-Word Countdown @Joaquer Oct 1 3 days until I say it. 423 t 7.1K 48K Joker N-Word Countdown @Joaquer Sep 30 4 days until I say it. 202 23K t 3.1K

On October 3rd, 2019, @Joaker tweeted a compilation of personal messages from African-American Twitter users in which they granted him N-Word Passes. [26]

On October 4th, 2019, @Joaquer tweeted a two-minute comedy sketch in which he attempted to say the word only to be stopped by YouTuber twomad (shown below).[27] The video gained over 29,000 retweets and 87,700 likes in one day.




On October 5th, the account was allegedly hacked, with an unknown person tweeting the slur.[28]

Man Removed From Times Square Showing

On October 4th, 2019, Twitter user Nathanael Hood tweeted a photograph of a man standing against a wall, claiming he had been escorted out of a Times Square movie theater in Manhattan for "spitting at people and clapping whenever Joker killed somebody" (shown below).



Shortly after, Hood tweeted a photo of another man, claiming he had "confronted the guy and deescalated the situation until security came" (shown below).



Fandom

On September 7th, 2018, the @jokermovie Twitter[10] account launched. Within seven months, the account received more than 28,000 followers. Additionally, the film's Facebook [11] page has more than 20,000 likes and followers.

Search Interest

External References

[1] Deadline – The Joker Origin Story On Deck: Todd Phillips, Scott Silver, Martin Scorsese Aboard WB/DC Film

[2] Variety – Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker’ Movie Gets the Greenlight, Will Shoot in the Fall

[3] Instagram – @toddphilips1's Post

[4] Instagram – @toddphilips1's Post

[5] The Hollywood Reporter – 'Joker' Brings Creepy First Trailer to CinemaCon

[6] Twitter – @karengillan's Tweet

[7] Twitter – @louisvirtel's Tweet

[8] Twitter – @owillis' Tweet

[9] Twitter – See Joaquin Phoenix as the classic villain in chilling new Joker trailer

[10] Twitter – @jokermovie

[11] Facebook – jokermovie

[12] Reddit – JOKER – Teaser Trailer – In Theaters October 4

[13] io9 – U.S. Military Issues Warning to Troops About Incel Violence at Joker Screenings

[14] Variety – Premiere Disinvites Interview Press From Hollywood, New York Red Carpets

[15] Twitter – @mallory_andews' Tweet

[16] Twitter – @Mister_BatfIeck's Tweet

[17] Twitter – @SophNar0747's Tweet

[18] TMZ – JOKER' NYPD TO PATROL THEATERS OPENING WEEKEND… Still No Credible Threat

[19] WAVY – Norfolk increasing police presence at movie theaters for release of ‘Joker’

[20] Deadline – ‘Joker’ Threat Concerns Have NYPD Taking Undercover Precautions For Opening Weekend

[21] IGN – Select Joker Screenings to Be Policed With NYPD Undercover Tactics for Opening Weekend

[22] The Source – NYPD TO PLACE UNDERCOVER OFFICERS IN SELECTED THEATERS THIS WEEKEND FOR ‘JOKER’ MOVIE RELEASE

[23] Business Insider – The NYPD says 'Joker' movie screenings this weekend will be 'closely monitored'

[24] Twitter – @Joaquer's Tweet

[25] Twitter – @Joaquer's Tweet

[26] Twitter – @Joaquer's Tweet

[27] Twitter – @Joaquer's Tweet

[28] Twitter – @DolanDark's Tweet

Recent Videos 52 total

Recent Images 308 total


Top Comments

Kommando_Kaijin
Kommando_Kaijin

  • >Be me, watching Joker.
  • >Joker says the line.
  • >Skinny Incels with bowl cuts jump up and whip out dual Semi-Fully Automatic AR-15s and begin attacking the Chads and Stacys.
  • >About 47 Neckbeards appear, fedoras tipped, trenchcoats blowing in the wind.
  • >Neckbeards unsheathe their katanas and yell, "We'll protect thee, M'Lady!"
  • >Neckbeards and Incels are battling for control over the theater.
  • >Everyone that's not part of the fight except me has fled the theater by now.
  • >Neckbeards and Incels realize all the women have left and all walk home mumbling something about "sluts and whores" and "why do women only go out with jerk Chads".
  • >MFW I've got the theater all to myself.
  • >MFW I can now eat my popcorn in peace.
+192
Greatnik
Greatnik

in reply to Blue Yoshi

So, these reporters have been doing nothing but saying how the movie was going to cause incels to rise up, and now their angry that WB has dis-invited them from the red carpet showing?

It's like if someone starts pissing on your front door and gets angry when you don't invite them in.

+128

+ Add a Comment

Comments (493)


Display Comments

Add a Comment


Hauu! You must login or signup first!