Joaquin Phoenix filming Joker movie in New York

Joker is being pitched by Warner Bros as “a gritty character study”, with a reduced production budget reflecting an experimental edge.

Jared Leto was responsible for the Joker’s last on-screen incarnation, playing the character as a psychotic punk-rock villain in David Ayer’s big-budget anti-hero ensemble Suicide Squad.

Next up for Warner Bros and DC is the Australia-shot feature Aquaman that will be released later this year. They are also currently in production on Wonder Woman 1984, with location work taking place in Washington, DC, and Spain, and studio filming in the UK. In addition, a movie focussing on DC villain Harley Quinn - as played by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad - was recently approved for tax credit support for a California shoot.

There is less certainty surrounding DC’s other key properties, following the muted critical reception for last year’s Justice League.

While Phillips’ Joker gets underway in New York, the mainstream Batman universe is in better health on the small screen. Prequel series Gotham has filmed four seasons in New York, while planned series Pennyworth, looking at the early life and career of Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, is scheduled for production in the UK.

See KFTV's production guide for more on filming in New York.

Image: Nikos Tavernise/Warner Bros