Joaquin Phoenix’s take on the Joker character may rival that of Heath Ledger’s, fans have said.
A first-look teaser trailer for the upcoming Joker film, directed by Todd Phillips, shows Phoenix playing the creepy character.
A two-minute video shared on the film’s official Twitter account shows Phoenix as a street performer whose treatment at the hands of others causes him to go mad.
“I used to think that my life was a tragedy,” he says. “Now I realise that it’s a comedy.”
The teaser has gone down a storm with fans who have been posting messages online praising Phoenix’s “mind-blowing” performance.
Former Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan was among those expressing their excitement.
She tweeted: “OH MY GOD just saw the trailer for Joker and it is quite clearly one of my most anticipated films to see ever!!! THAT IS A BIT OF ME wowowowowow”.
OH MY GOD just saw the trailer for Joker and it is quite clearly one of my most anticipated films to see ever!!! THAT IS A BIT OF ME wowowowowow
— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) April 3, 2019
“i got the creeps… im excited, joaquin is an amazing actor, i trust him,” said another person.
i got the creeps… im excited, joaquin is an amazing actor, i trust him #Joker
— nnnn | PER-SO-NA (@CELESTAELPJM) April 3, 2019
“Just watched #Joker trailer. OMG! thats totally mind blowing. #JaquinPhoenix nailed it,” tweeted another.
Just watched #Joker trailer. OMG! thats totally mind blowing. #JaquinPhoenix nailed it.#JokerMovie#WarnerBros
— Muhammad Tanvir Hasan (@muhammadTHasan) April 3, 2019
Another posted: “Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker in the teaser trailer is absolutely mind blowing. We don’t even need to watch the movie, just give him an Oscar in advance for the scenes in the trailer.”
Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker in the teaser trailer is absolutely mind blowing. We don't even need to watch the movie, just give him an Oscar in advance for the scenes in the trailer. 🤯 #JokerMovie
— TALI (@tuhleeee) April 3, 2019
Many people said the actor’s performance looked likely to be as memorable as the one Ledger gave as the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight.
One fan mused it would be “special”:
#JokerMovie looks INCREDIBLE and I'd put money on Joaquin Phoenix delivering a performance that's right up there with Ledger's. This is gonna be special. 🤡 https://t.co/UhghmqbQJ2
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) April 3, 2019
Another wondered if this would surpass Ledger’s take on the character:
#JokerMovie Looks promising so far! Hopefully Joaquin Phoenix's performance rivals Heath Ledger's performance or even surpasses it. 🤞
— ACMANISH (@ACmanish) April 3, 2019
Another person offered their prediction:
i think joaquin phoenix’s joker version gonna be another phenomenon joker beside heath ledger’s joker.
— KENCANA (@norsewolff) April 3, 2019
While there was also the question of whether or not Phoenix may “knock Ledger off the Joker pedestal”:
Damn, I don't wanna say it, but Phoenix might very well be the one to knock Ledger off the Joker pedestal. If the entire film is as engrossing as the teaser alone, this might be the best Joker we've ever had on screen, can't wait to see this! #JokerMovie https://t.co/F09X0j5G1k
— Mantikore (@Mantikoar) April 3, 2019
One fan said Ledger – who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in January 2008 – “would be smiling from the heavens”.
The #JokerMovie trailer is hauntingly chilling. Joaquin Phoenix has always been known for his eccentricity. But never thought he could pull this one off. The only thing missing from the trailer was the iconic laughter. Heath Ledger would be smiling from the heavens. Can't wait!
— Renjith Menon (@Tweetoloquist) April 3, 2019
Joker is due to be released later this year.