![Joaquin Phoenix Cast as Joker in Todd Phillips Origin Film](https://images.flickdirect.com/cache/entertainment-news/06000-5492.jpg)
Phillips will be directing as well as co-writing the film with Scott Silver. The plot will focus on the Joker's beginning and how he grew into a crazed criminal mastermind. It's being reported that the film will be more of a gritty drama set in the 1980's than a comic-book film.
The film will begin production in September.