MOVIE NEWS – Willem Dafoe has admitted that he has fantasised about playing a Joker impersonator in a sequel to Joaquin Phoenix’s film.

Willem Dafoe would love to star in a Joker movie, even if not necessarily in the title role. Many Dafoe fans have been lobbying for years for the acclaimed actor to play the Joker in a DC film, but there is little chance of that happening under the current circumstances. The rumours have prompted Dafoe to weigh in on its possibility in a new interview with GQ. As Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dafoe said he would love to star with Joaquin Phoenix in a new film about a con man who tries to take on the Joker’s identity.

“There is something interesting about, like, if there was a Joker imposter…”

“…so it would be possible to have not dueling Jokers but someone that says to be the Joker that isn’t the Joker. And that kind of opens up the possibility of an interesting story, particularly if you had Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, and then you had someone who was either imitating or riffing off what he did. I fantasised about that. But other than that I am not talking to anybody [about it], you’re the first one.”

Because Bruce Wayne is so young in the Joker universe, it will be a while, if ever, before the Arthur Fleck Joker meets Batman. Even so, a sequel with the right story for this version of the character could be riveting. A Joker impersonator could add a spin to help the sequel stand on its own. With the first film being so highly regarded, rumours are that the sequel is in danger of becoming a simple remake if it doesn’t go in a new direction.

Warner Bros. is rumoured to be taking notice of the money raised by the Joker’s theatrical release. According to insider sources, the studio has been talking with Todd Phillips to make Joker 2, but an official announcement on the project is still pending. The wait may depend on whether or not they can come up with the right story to justify a second Joker. Perhaps Dafoe’s idea will give Phillips pause for thought, and we could eventually see him join the fray as the “wannabe Joker.”

Source: CQ