At this rate, it’s getting hard to keep track of all of the live-action DC universes. Through the various feature films and television series, we’re being presented with many versions of the same characters, all at the same time. This couldn’t be more apparent as it relates to the Joker, who has multiple upcoming films in development which are totally unconnected to each other.
Despite the confusion, however, the upcoming Joker movie with Joaquin Phoenix seems pretty promising. With Phoenix in the titular role as the Clown Prince of Crime, Joker is said to be an origin story of how the supervillain came to be. Several big names have already been announced to be in the cast, including Robert DeNiro, Zazie Beetz, and Marc Maron, and now another talented star is officially on the roster.
The Holllywood Reporter is confirming Alec Baldwin has come on board to play Thomas Wayne. Batman fans will recognize that name as Bruce Wayne’s father, who was gunned down along with his wife Martha in a dark alley one fateful night. While Thomas is usually described or portrayed as an honest and respectable person, however, Baldwin’s portrayal will offer a new take on the character. This Thomas Wayne will be a “cheesy and tanned businessman,” modeled after an ’80s Donald Trump – think Biff Tannen from Back to the Future Part II.
Unlike other DC movies, the film is being described as a “dark character study” akin to movies like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. The film is also said to be moderately budgeted in comparison to other DC films, so don’t expect to see quite as many exploding buildings. It’s interesting that Baldwin’s casting hints that the Wayne family will somehow be involved in the Joker’s origin story, but will it be revealed that the supervillain himself was actually involved in the double murder? We’ll find out soon enough.
