'Joker' Sequel Reportedly in the Works [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Deadline now reports that The Hollywood Reporter's story is false, claiming that, "multiple inside sources said that while a sequel to the billion dollar grossing film is an obvious likely eventuality that makes all the financial sense in the world, at this point there are no deals for a sequel, nor even any negotiations with director Todd Phillips or his co-writer Scott Silver to craft one."

See original story below.

Despite the film’s R-rating and controversial violent themes, Joker has recently surpassed the $1 billion mark in worldwide gross sales. In addition, Arthur Fleck actor Joaquin Phoenix has received Oscar buzz for his intense performance. This means that director Todd Phillips and his team are a hot commodity, and it seems that Warner Bros. wants to take full advantage of the hype.

The Hollywood Reporter is now claiming that a Joker 2 is officially in the works. According to the site, the film will feature Phillips as director, and most likely Phoenix as Fleck. It is unclear what the details of the plot will be, but we know it will most likely not include the origins of Bruce Wayne, as that story is currently being told in Matt Reeves’ upcoming film The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson.

The publication also reports that, during his meeting with the studio last month in which he was granted the sequel, Phillips also proposed that he be given the rights to develop a portfolio of DC characters' origin stories. He reportedly walked out of his meeting with an approved sequel, and the rights to one other origin story that has yet to be announced. Many fans are in hopes that it will be about Lex Luthor or Darkseid, but this is merely speculation at this point.

I guess we will be seeing Phoenix’s Joker dance his way to the silver screen once more.