The 'Joker' movie casts young Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth
The 'Joker' standalone movie is one of the many DC projects that Warner Bros. has in the pipelines. Directed by Todd Phillips, the film that explores the origin story of Joker is expected to hit theaters on October 4, 2019. Recently the two most familiar names from the Batman comics were added to the movie, Bruce Wayne and the Wayne family butler, Alfred Pennyworth.
Meet the new cast members
Dante Pereira-Olson and Douglas Hodge joined the cast for Phillips' 'Joker' as the young Bruce and Alfred respectively. Notably, Dante previously shared screen space with Joaquin Phoenix, who plays the titular Joker. He played Phoenix's character, Joe's, younger version in the acclaimed 2017 movie 'You Were Never Really Here'. Hodge appeared with Jennifer Lawrence in 'Red Sparrow', and Netflix's Black Mirror episode 'Black Museum'.
The impressive cast of the 'Joker' movie
Apart from new members and Joaquin Phoenix, the film features a stellar cast including 'Deadpool 2' actor Zazie Beetz, 'Glow' TV series actor Marc Maron, and legendary actor Robert De Niro. Brett Cullen who appeared in 'The Dark Knight Rises' plays Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father.
The different walks of life
While it is too early to pass judgment, this writer opines that a film defining itself as a 'gritty character study' of 'a man disregarded by society', does not need Bruce's talismanic character in the mix. In fact, the entire Wayne family can be excluded from the exploration of Joker's origins. Interestingly, Joker never interacted with the Waynes in comics until Bruce became Batman.
The Batman Joker myth formation
For those unaware, Bruce's life-altering moment was witnessing his parents' murder, turning him to Batman's vigilante lifestyle. However, there have been several hints at his destiny, like falling into a cave with bats. Considering Joker is Batman's arch-nemesis, the movie might show an early interaction between them before they each donned their mantles. The connection created, would satisfy fans who know both characters' futures.
