Ridley Scott has criticised Joker for “the way in which it celebrated violence”.
The director has labored with Joaquin Phoenix – who performed the titular DC villain within the 2019 movie – in his new film Napoleon, and was impressed to solid the Oscar-winner after seeing his efficiency in Joker.
Nonetheless, Scott defined in a brand new interview that whereas he was impressed by the efficiency, he wasn’t the largest fan of the movie as an entire.
“I used to be blown away by his outrageous movie Joker,” the filmmaker advised Deadline. “I didn’t like the way in which it celebrated violence however Joaquin was outstanding.”
“I assumed he’d be an incredible asset to Napoleon, [not only creatively] additionally in a business sense,” he added. “There have been solely two actors I had in thoughts for the function. I gained’t point out the opposite one.”
Scott beforehand spoke about being impressed to rent Phoenix off the again of his Joker efficiency, telling Empire: “I’m observing Joaquin and saying, ‘This little demon is Napoleon Bonaparte.’ He seems to be like him.”
Napoleon, which additionally stars Vanessa Kirby, will observe the lifetime of French chief Napoleon Bonaparte, and Scott just lately revealed there’s an prolonged model that runs over the movie’s deliberate 158-minute theatrical reduce.
Joaquin Phoenix on the Los Angeles premiere of “Beau Is Afraid” held on the Director’s Guild of America on April 10, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. CREDIT: Getty/Michael Buckner/Selection
In addition to the historic movie, Scott is ready to helm a Gladiator sequel, which can star Paul Mescal as Lucius – the nephew of Phoenix’s character Emperor Commodus within the first movie.
The director just lately revealed that he determined to solid Mescal after seeing Regular Folks, explaining to Complete Movie: “I used to be pondering, ‘Who the hell is that this Paul Mescal?’ After which I watched the entire collection. After which, all of the sudden, Gladiator 2 got here up, as a result of the script was working fairly nicely. And I saved desirous about Paul. And that was it.”
In the meantime, Joker is ready to get a sequel movie known as Joker: Folie à Deux, which can see Phoenix return because the titular character, with Woman Gaga becoming a member of as Harley Quinn.
Alongside a returning Phoenix and Zazie Beetz, the movie may even star franchise newcomers Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland and Harry Lawtey.