We recently learned that Warner Bros. is developing a standalone movie for The Joker that won't be a part of the DC Extended Universe and won't feature Jared Leto. However, the studio has other plans for Leto's Clown Prince of Crime. As previously reported, he’ll return for Suicide Squad 2 and Gotham City Sirens. In addition, an as-yet untitled movie about The Joker and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) is in the works.
Along with a number of other outlets, The Hollywood Reporter told us that Leto and Robbie will reprise their characters from David Ayer's Suicide Squad in a spin-off movie that will be a part of the DCEU. Apparently, it’s the Harley Quinn vs. The Joker project that was revealed in a report from last month.
Glenn Ficarra and John Requa are "in final negotiations" to write and direct the movie, which was described by one of THR's sources as a "criminal love story". Another source suggested that it will be "an insane and twisted love story. When Harry Met Sally on benzedrine".
Ficarra and Requa worked as a screenwriting duo for movies that include Cats and Dogs and Bad Santa. They subsequently made their directorial debut with I Love You Phillip Morris, then went on to helm Crazy, Stupid, Love; Focus; and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Margot Robbie starred in the latter two.
The Joker/Harley Quinn movie will follow Suicide Squad 2, which insiders have described as "on the development fast-track and out to directors". Currently farther ahead in development than the non-DCEU Joker movie, the Joker and Harley Quinn movie is also moving ahead quickly as the studio deals with actors' holding agreements.
Variety reported that the new project "appears to have superseded" David Ayer's Gotham City Sirens, which will feature Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy. However, Deadline suggested that the two projects are "apparently different".
