JokerdirectorTodd Phillipshas cast the next actor to play Bruce Wayne on the big screen, but it isn’t any of the A-list names we’ve heard bandied about in recent months. Instead ‘Master Bruce’ will be played by youngDante Pereira-Olson, who played a young version ofJoaquin Phoenix’s character inYou Were Never Really Here. Phoenix, of course, is playing the title character in DC’s gritty, ’80s-set reimagining of theBatmancharacter.
In otherJokercasting news,Douglas Hodgewill play Alfred Pennyworth, the Wayne family butler who keeps a close eye on his young charge.Brett Cullenwas previously cast as the boy’s father, Thomas Wayne, afterAlec Baldwinpulled out of the project. The rest of the ensemble includesRobert De Niro,Zazie Beetz,Bill Camp,Marc Maron,Frances Conroy,Glenn Fleshler,Josh PaisandShea Whigham, who recently revealed exclusivedetails of his role to Collider.
ComicBook.combroke the news of Pereira-Olson’s casting, though it’s unclear how large a role Bruce Wayne will have in this story, which for the first time will focus on the villainous Joker – the moniker adopted by failed stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck (Phoenix). I suspect this casting is more about establishing Bruce Wayne in the world ofJoker, rather than setting him up to play a larger part down the line, since this film is expected to be a one-off and is unlikely to lead to any sequels.
I don’t know about you guys, butJokeris easily the comic book movie that I’m most excited to see, if only because it’s avoiding the all-too-forced idea of a connected movie universe. In exchange for working with a modest budget (a reported $55 million in this case), Phillips and co-writerScott Silverhave been given creative freedom to reinterpret an iconic character, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what he comes up with. We’ll all get a look when Warner Bros. releases Joker on Aug 09, 2025.
Those who haven’t seenYou Were Never Really Hereshould definitely rectify that right away, whileBlack Mirrorfans will recognize Hodge from the “Black Museum” episode. He also gaveJennifer Lawrencea tough time in the underrated thrillerRed Sparrow.
