History Trivia / Joker2019

* PlayingAgainstType: A directing example--you wouldn't expect someone like Todd Phillips, the man who brought us ''Film/TheHangover'' trilogy, to direct a DC film, nor such a dramatic one. [[Film/WarDogs This hasn't been the first time he'd direct against type, though]].
* TheOtherDarrin: In Latin America, this film marks the first time ComicBook/TheJoker is not voiced by Creator/JoseAntonioMacias, his usual voice actor since ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', but instead by Mauricio Perez.
* StreisandEffect: In the months leading up to the film's wide release, a number of American film critics, journalists, and bloggers endlessly attacked the film, claiming that its portrayal as the Joker would inspire "incel" / "white male resentment" violence and mass shootings, and it escalated to the point where they even tried to get the film's released cancelled. As a result the outcry many police forces and even the US Army were put on alert on release day, and Warner Bros., tired of the endless attacks from the press, barred journalists from attending the red carpet premiere. [[NoSuchThingAsBadPublicity That constant negative publicity and drama only served to increase interest among moviegoers]] to see what riled up the media so badly.

** The scenes of Arthur dancing while in his Joker persona were completely improvised by Phoenix, leading to some of the most memorable quiet moments in the film.

* ThrowItIn: [[spoiler: During the fateful confrontation between Arthur and Murray, Phoenix was suppose to say "What do you get, when you cross a mentally ill loner, with a ''system''...", but instead said "With a '''''society'''''..."]]. Can also count as a [[spoiler: AscendedMeme]] for all the jokes involving [[spoiler: "society"]].

* StreisandEffect: In the months leading up to the film's wide release, a number of American film critics, journalists, and bloggers endlessly attacked the film, claiming that its portrayal as the Joker would inspire "incel" violence and mass shootings, and it escalated to the point where they even tried to get the film's released cancelled. As a result the outcry many police forces and even the US Army were put on alert on release day, and Warner Bros., tired of the endless attacks from the press, barred journalists from attending the red carpet premiere. [[NoSuchThingAsBadPublicity That constant negative publicity and drama only served to increase interest among moviegoers]] to see what riled up the media so badly.

* StreisandEffect: In the months leading up to the film's wide release, a number of American film critics, journalists, and bloggers endlessly attacked the film, claiming that its portrayal as the Joker would inspire "incel" violence and mass shootings, and it escalated to the point where they even tried to get the film's released cancelled. As a result the outcry many police forces and even the US Army were put on alert on release day, and Warner Bros., tired of the endless attacks from the press, barred journalists from attending the red carpet premiere. The constant negative publicity and drama only served to increase interest among moviegoers to see what riled up the media so badly.

* StreisandEffect: In the months leading up to the film's wide release, film critics, journalists, and bloggers endlessly attacked the film, claiming that its portrayal as the Joker would inspire "incel" violence and mass shootings, and escalated to the point where they even tried to get the film's released cancelled. As a result the outcry many police forces and even the US Army were put on alert on release day, and Warner Bros, tired of the endless attacks from the press, barred journalists from attending the red carpet premiere. The constant negative publicity and drama only served to increase interest among moviegoers to see what riled up the media so badly.

* PlayingAgainstType: A directing example--you wouldn't expect someone like Todd Phillips, the man who brought us ''Film/TheHangover'' trilogy, to direct a DC film. [[Film/WarDogs This hasn't been the first time he'd direct against type, though]].

* DoingItForTheArt: Joaquin Phoenix stated that he always wanted to do a character study of a comic book villain but didn't want the strings that come attached with being involved in a franchise like the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse (as he turned down the title role for ''Film/DoctorStrange2016''). When he heard that Creator/WarnerBrothers (which owns Creator/DCComics and all related media) was looking to make a lower budget standalone film that focused on ComicBook/TheJoker, he became interested in the project since it was so similar to his previous idea.

* ContentLeak: A version of the script leaked in mid-May 2019. It's unclear if it's the shooting script or a draft but there are scenes from the trailer in it. People who saw a test screening about a month after the leak also describe the script as being accurate, and it was verified when the film released -- albeit with some changes.

* ContentLeak: A version of the script leaked in mid-May 2019. It's unclear if it's the shooting script or a draft but there are scenes from the trailer in it. People who saw a test screening about a month after the leak also describe the script as being accurate.

* PlayingAgainstType: A directing example--you wouldn't expect someone like Todd Phillips, the man who brought us ''Film/TheHangover'' trilogy, to direct a DC film. [[Film/WarDogs This hasn't been the first time he'd direct against type, though.]]

** Creator/ShaileneWoodley, Creator/GuguMbathaRaw, Creator/DakotaJohnson, [[Series/HowToGetAwayWithMurder Aja Naomi King]], and Creator/MaryElizabethWinstead were considered for the role of Sophie Dumond before the casting of Creator/ZazieBeetz. Winstead would later go on to portray [[Comicbook/{{Huntress}} Helena Bertinelli]] in ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020''.

** In a case of what could ''not'' have been, Phoenix had been in talks with Creator/MarvelStudios to play the titular ''[[Film/DoctorStrange2016 Doctor Strange]]'' after Creator/BenedictCumberbatch initially turned down the part due to scheduling conflicts, but backed out due to his reluctance to take on a multi-picture deal. Presumably, had he not been so reluctant, we wouldn't be getting this film (or at the very least, someone else would be taking on the role).

* DyeingForYourArt: Creator/JoaquinPhoenix lost a lot of weight for his role -- 52 pounds, according to the director. It was so serious that filming could only be done once, with no opportunity for reshoots.

** Creator/ShaileneWoodley, Creator/GuguMbathaRaw, Creator/DakotaJohnson, [[Series/HowToGetAwayWithMurder Aja Naomi King]], and Creator/MaryElizabethWinstead were considered for the role of Sophie Dumond before the casting of Creator/ZazieBeetz. Winstead would later go on to portray [[Comicbook/{{Huntress}} Helena Bertinelli]] in ''[[Film/BirdsOfPrey2020 Birds of Prey]]''.

* DoingItForTheArt: Joaquin Phoenix stated that he always wanted to do a character study of a comic book villain but didn't want the strings that come attached with being involved in a franchise like the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse (as he turned down the title role for ''Film/DoctorStrange''). When he heard that Creator/WarnerBrothers (which owns Creator/DCComics and all related media) was looking to make a lower budget standalone film that focused on ComicBook/TheJoker, he became interested in the project since it was so similar to his previous idea.

* DoingItForTheArt: Joaquin Phoenix stated that he always wanted to do a character study of a comic book villain but didn't want the strings that come attached with being involved in a franchise like the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse or Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse. When he heard that Creator/WarnerBrothers (which owns Creator/DCComics and all related media) was looking to make a lower budget standalone film that focused on ComicBook/TheJoker, he became interested in the project since it was so similar to his previous idea.
* DyeingForYourArt: Creator/JoaquinPhoenix lost a lot of weight for his role. It was so serious that filming could only be done once, with no opportunity for reshoots.

* DyeingForYourArt: Creator/JoaquinPhoenix lost a lot of weight for his role. It was so serious that filming could only be done once, with no opportunity for reshoots. Todd Phillips had to write the script during production.

** Creator/FrancesMcDormand was offered the role of Penny Fleck before the casting of Creator/FrancesConroy.
** Creator/ShaileneWoodley, Creator/GuguMbathaRaw, Creator/DakotaJohnson, [[Series/HowToGetAwayWithMurder Aja Naomi King]], and Creator/MaryElizabethWinstead were considered for the part of Sophie Dumond before Creator/ZazieBeetz was cast. Winstead would later go on to portray [[Comicbook/{{Huntress}} Helena Bertinelli]] in ''[[Film/BirdsOfPrey2020 Birds of Prey]]''.

** Creator/AlecBaldwin and Creator/ViggoMortensen were approached for the part of Thomas Wayne before Creator/BrettCullen was cast. The former turned down the offer due to scheduling commitments to ''Literature/MotherlessBrooklyn''.
** Creator/FrancesMcDormand turned down the role of Arthur's mother before the casting of Creator/FrancesConroy.
** In a case of what could ''not'' have been, Phoenix had been in talks with Marvel to play the titular ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'' after Creator/BenedictCumberbatch initially turned down the part due to scheduling conflicts, but ultimately backed out due to his reluctance to take on a multi-picture deal. Presumably, had he not been so reluctant, we wouldn't be getting this film (or at the very least, someone else would be taking on the role).

* InspirationForTheWork: The filmmakers cite ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' and the Creator/MartinScorsese films ''Film/TaxiDriver'', ''Film/RagingBull'' and ''Film/TheKingOfComedy'' as an influence on the film.

** Creator/MarcMaron, who has a rather well-documented dislike of comic book movies, said he agreed to take part in the film because getting a chance to work with Creator/RobertDeNiro and Joaquin Phoenix was too big an opportunity to pass up.

** Marc Maron, who has a rather well-documented dislike of comic book movies, said he agreed to take part in the film because getting a chance to work with Robert De Niro and Joaquin Phoenix was too big an opportunity to pass up.

* ContentLeak: A version of the script leaked in mid-May 2019. It's unclear if it's the shooting script or a draft but there are scenes from the trailer in it.

* InspirationForTheWork: The filmmakers cite ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' and the Creator/MartinScorsese films ''Film/TaxiDriver'', ''Film/RagingBull'' and ''Film/TheKingOfComedy as an influence on the film.