Alec Baldwin was oh-so-briefly attached to play Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s father, in Todd Phillips’ untitled Joker origin movie, but he departed the project the very same week he was announced to be part of it. Taking Baldwin’s place, Brett Cullen (Ghost Rider, “Persons of Interest”) has been cast in the role of Batman’s dad.
Interestingly, Cullen had played a congressman in The Dark Knight Rises!
Joaquin Phoenix is playing the Clown Prince of Crime, with the cast also including Frances Conroy, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz and Marc Maron.
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster. The film will reportedly be made on a $55 million production budget, with it being described as “darker and more experimental in tone and content.”
Phillips is writing and directing for Warner Bros., the film set to arrive on Oct. 4, 2019.