Joker and Harley Quinn Film in the works - Film News #1

DCEU Going For 'Crazy' Luck?

I think it's fair to say that the DC Cinematic Universe up-to now has had a very topsy-turvy ride ever since its inception in 2013 when Zack Snyder took-up the directorial mantle to make Man of Steel. From the lauded reproval of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad to the acclaim that Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman feature received due to its boisterous and earnest tone which contrasts DC's overly sombre style, it's clear to see that DC's attempt of rivalling Marvel with their own franchise has had its fair share of frantic moments which haven't particularly played well with those who are passionately affiliated with the likes of Batman, Superman and other DC heroes most notably seen in the televised department. As much as DC die hard fanatics will be hoping that Justice League will top the tree in being the best superhero film to have come this year, which is highly unlikely if i'm brutally honest, there is much more cinematic news which will sure spice their viewing appetite as well confuse their hearts content...

Not only did we hear, via Matt Reeves, that The Batman would not be a part of the DC Extended Universe and suggested the Ben Affleck might not reprise his role as the caped-crusader (which was quickly debunked by Reeves himself stating on Twitter that The Batman was definitely a part of the DCEU), but there is also news that there will be not only one Joker origin movie in the works, with The Hangover III's Todd Phillips taking the directorial reigns, but another Joker-centric feature as well. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) reports that Glenn Ficara and John Requa, the writing-directing team behind Focus, Crazy, Stupid Love and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, have been putting pen-to-paper in negotiations to helm an untitled DC movie project centring on the infamous Batman villains, Joker and Harley Quinn; bringing the two together to create their own "criminal love story." Jared Leto and Margot Robbie, who played both the said characters in Suicide Squad, are due to reprise their roles as the villains in this project and has now, supposedly, taken the place of the Gotham City Sirens project which has been taken off the Warner Bros. schedule. The characters themselves are among the most popular in DC's super-heroic world; frequently depicted in both comic-book format and in various televised formats as having a warped and often abusive romance. Indeed, one insider offered this: "an insane and twisted love story, When Harry Met Sally on benzedrine." The currently untitled Joker and Harley Quinn feature can be expected shortly after the currently in-development Suicide Squad 2; making it a certainty that we'll be seeing three DC-related films that includes Joker in the near future, which is frankly insane. 

Indeed, the DC Extended Universe is rapidly growing in all sorts of directions; with not only this project additionally falling into Warners' main line of movies based on their DC properties, but also eluding to the said studios' simultaneous development in bringing out a line of DC-related films that will fall outside the established cinematic universe which will see actors and threaded through multiple films. However, it's not hard to fathom how greatly all of this cinematic movement and actions that Warner Bros. and DC are doing within their ego-filled confinement will, at some point, bite back at them. In addition to the now three films that will include the Joker, there is also...😤... Matt Reeves' The Batman, Shazam, Wonder Woman 2, Aquaman, Batgirl, Green Lantern Corps, Cyborg, Justice league Dark and this November's Justice League ALL IN THE WORKS! 😲😵. As understandable as it is that DC have to gain ground on Marvel who've triumphed in establishing a mammoth of a cinematic universe that appeals to a wide-range of audiences due to the depth and range of the films that they've produced, it's hard to see DC's Extended Universe ever topping what Marvel have done simply because of the quality of movies that they're producing; and the fact that they are also devoted in producing demanded televised content as well. With the exception of Wonder Woman that was released earlier this year, DC films in recent years have notably been stylised in an aesthetic that is specifically sombre and gritty. Unlike the enthusiasm and brash presentation that Marvel purposefully interject into their own projects, DC resolutely create films that are filled with gloom-ridden undertones that don't necessarily please the gaze of the audience. Maybe they can prove us all wrong by showcasing a much light-hearted heroic venture in Justice League later this year, but that film is frankly a lot of people's last straw. If that film is anything similar to Batman v Superman, where we're presented with needless exposition that pointlessly builds-up characters that haven't their own films to be established in, then expect to see similar criticism coming DC's way. Even if Justice League defies the unparalleled expectations and turns out to be a moderate success for a wide-range of audiences, there's still a long way for DC to even emulate what Marvel have achieved in recent years. As many of you have just read, there are plenty more DC-related films coming and for them to produce and publish all of those cinematic titles in the space of a few years, something has to give. it's hard to see DC making their cinematic universe as complete as Marvel's very own developing and evolving franchise since they have the capacity to quickly change their outlook very rationally, as shown with the convoluted production of Suicide Squad. As for the Joker-centric films themselves, by no means is it surprising to see superhero films fixate on a singular character; since the recent outings of Deadpool and Logan proved that you can make features of the said genre that don't really on an assemble cast. However, considering that there could potentially be three films based around Batman's greatest nemesis, it simply shows how sterile Warner Bros. and DC are. Having watched many televised and cinematic concepts in my life-time that are associated with DC's own fictional world, there are plenty of other characters that could have had their own film. Yes, I understand that Joker and Harley Quinn are popular archetypes and possibly could be a concept that recuperates natural success at the Box Office for those responsible in making these films, but to have so many features dedicated to an antagonist that can only have so many contextual options, all of this frantic production could very-well backfire for those involved, which would be a shame. Certainly, it'll be intersting to see who'll have the last laugh in the end - DC? or Marvel?... 

Aside my own view of this news and what many come for DC and Warner Bros. in the future, what do you all think? Do you think this untitled Joker and Harley Quinn project is a good idea for DC to make? Or, do you believe that those who are involved with these films are heading for a collision course? Tell me what you think down below! I do apologise if there are any inaccuracies with the news I have gathered. If I'm honest, all of this is a ruddy mess! 😅 I hope you have enjoyed this week's Film News Blog and I hope to do more of these in the coming weeks. Thank you and have a good day!

Batman: The Killing Joke Film Review - https://rabbittevision.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/batman-killing-joke-film-review.html