JOKER Director Todd Phillips Says Way Too Early to Tell If a Sequel Will Happen

Yesterday we learned that DC’s Joker was nominated for four Golden Globes including Best Picture. Joaquin Pheonix also landed the Best Actor nomination.

The movie ended up becoming an epically huge success, and you’d think that the studio would want to jump on a sequel to try and replicate the success because it’s something that audiences obviously are interested in. At one point, it was reported that a sequel would happen, then director Todd Philips said there was no truth to the news.

In a recent interview with THR, Phillips addressed Joker getting the nominated Golden Globes and said that it’s way too early to tell if a sequel will actually happen. He explained:

“When I first pitched this movie to Warner Bros., I never thought about nominations or grosses. I was just thinking how we would push this through to achieve a finished product. As for why audiences were drawn to the film, it was a combination of things: obviously Joaquin and his performance, it was so immersive and he really dove into what he was doing. I used to joke with the DP during the shoot that rather than some massive visual effects, Joaquin was that special effect for us. Before we started shooting, I really knew how invested he was in this role and knew we possibly had something very special ahead of us. As for a sequel, it’s way too early [to tell]. I swear I haven’t even talked to Joaquin about that yet or what that would even be.”

Joaquin Phoenix has made it very clear that he is up for making a sequel, but the two obviously have to get together and figure out what they want to do with a sequel and then take their concept to Warner Bros.

Phillips previously revealed that he originally pitched three film ideas to launch the DC Black Label film brand, saying:

"But I don't really want to name them, because then it'll become a thing and I'm pulling these directors into it when I've never even told them about it. It was just me telling Warner Bros. about it.

"I still think it's a great idea. But I'll be honest with you, their argument - well, it wasn't an argument - their thing is, there's no reason to create its own label, there's no reason to go to all that trouble. Just when we want to one of these kind of movies, we'll do it, just like Joker is. I get that, but I also thought it was just kind of cool if it became a thing."

With Joker being the success that it is, I’m sure Warner Bros. will be ready and willing to work with him on whatever he wants at DC when he’s ready.