'The Joker' Origin Movie Working Title Revealed

It looks like DC's standalone Joker origin movie is one step closer to becoming a reality.

According to a new report from That Hashtag Show, the Todd Phillips-directed project will be operating under a working title of "Romeo". With production rumored to start in New York City sometime in September, there's no telling if and how that working title could evolve.

While the working title is relatively simple, it does make some bit of sense considering what is already known about the project. In March, a report suggested that the film would follow the Joker as an '80s comedian, who turns to a life of crime after his stand-up career fails. That Killing Joke-esque "one bad day" mindset arguably fits a tragic working title like Romeo.

This Joker movie has been a bit of an enigma amongst DC Comics fans, ever since it was first announced in September of last year. Numerous reports about the project have suggested that it will be the first in a line of standalone DC movies, which exist outside of the DC Extended Universe continuity. A recent article confirmed just as much, and that the label of standalone DC films could be dubbed "DC Dark" or "DC Black".

The currently-untitled film will have Phillips at the helm, and will be executive produced by Martin Scorsese. Joaquin Phoenix has been in talks to play the Clown Prince of Crime since February, but the actor has played coy about whether or not he has the role.

"I don't know… it could be an interesting character." Phoenix said back in April. "I don't know."

"I see [a superhero movie] as any other movie," Phoenix continued. "I wouldn't say… 'I won't do Westerns.' It depends on what it is. I don't really care about the genre, I care about the character and the filmmaker. If you have the ability to transcend the genre, then that's what you want to do. So I wouldn't say, hands down, no – I wouldn't do that kind of movie."

This stanlone project is just one of the Joker-related movies that DC currently has in production. Earlier this month, it was announced that Warner Bros. is developing a solo movie surrounding Jared Leto's Joker, who played a somewhat-controversial role in 2016's Suicide Squad.

What do you think of the Joker origin movie's working title? Let us know what you think in the comments below.