Director Todd Phillips’ Joker will mark the fifth time an incarnation of the classic Batman foe has been featured in a live-action feature film. However, the Joaquin Phoenix film is expected to be a far more personal and introspective outing than most superhero projects, with some suspecting Joker could become an awards season contender.
Now, TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey and Executive Director Joana Vicente have announced 16 gala selections and 37 films in the special presentation category, with Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker being among the Gala Presentations. The decision to include Joker in the Toronto International Film Festival comes just days before the schedule will be announced for the Venice Film Festival, where the Joaquin Phoenix film may have its world premiere.
Showtimes will be announced when the Toronto International Film Festival unveils its full schedule on August 20.
Here is the official synopsis for Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker:
“Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society, is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
Directed by Todd Phillips from a script he co-wrote with Scott Silver, Joker stars Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais, and Shea Whigham.
Joker will be released in theaters on October 4, 2019.
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The film will also be set in Central City.