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Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Martin Scorsese is producing an origin film based around signature Batman villain The Joker under a new DC Comics film banner. The film will be directed Todd Phillips (The Hangover, War Dogs), who is also writing the script with Scott Silver (8 Mile), Deadline reported.
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The Joker was last played by Jared Leto in Suicide Squad, which is a part of Warner Bros.' DC extended universe -- which also includes films such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman and the forthcoming Justice League.
Entertainment Weekly reported the origin film will take place outside the extended universe and not feature Leto, who will be reprising his role as the Clown Prince of Crime in a Suicide Squad sequel and a planned Harley Quinn spinoff.
A different, possibly younger actor will be chosen to portray The Joker, as the origin story takes place during the 1980s in Gotham City.
The new DC Comics banner is being created to allow the studio to tell unique comic book stories using different actors in the title roles.
Other Batman-related projects in the works at Warner Bros. include standalone film The Batman, starring Ben Affleck from director Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes), and a Batgirl film, helmed by filmmaker Joss Whedon (The Avengers).
