Warner Bros. has released the final trailer for Joker, which looks to completely reshape the way we think about the iconic DC Comics villain. This project has been a major topic of discussion ever since we first learned of its existence about two years ago. Things only became more interesting when we learned Joaquin Phoenix was set to portray the Clown Prince of Crime. Now, with this new trailer, things have hit a new level of crazy. Have a look. 

Obviously, there is much to discuss after watching that trailer. It's clear director Todd Philips has no interest in rehashing anything we're familiar with from the pages of DC Comics. This is a totally new take on the character and a version of Gotham City we've never seen before. I mean, Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne's dad, punches the man who becomes the Joker in the face. And that's just one of the eye-popping moments in what is truly a stunning trailer. 

This is being positioned as an awards season contender. Joker will hold its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival next week. That means we're going to get our first wave of reactions to the film in the near future. It's also set to play at several other prestigious festivals ahead of its release in theaters. Undoubtedly, this is going to be one of the most talked about movies of the fall season, good or bad. 

Here's the official synopsis for Joker 

"Director Todd Phillips "˜Joker"˜ centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen.  Phillips' exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham's fractured society.  A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night"¦but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study."

The cast includes Phoenix (The Master, Walk the Line, Gladiator) who stars in the titular role alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, The Godfather: Part II).  The film also stars Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), Frances Conroy (American Horror Story, Castle Rock), Marc Maron (Maron, GLOW), Bill Camp (Red Sparrow, Molly's Game), Glenn Fleshler (Billions, Barry), Shea Whigham (First Man, Kong: Skull Island), Brett Cullen (42, Narcos), Douglas Hodge (Red Sparrow, Penny Dreadful) and Josh Pais (Motherless Brooklyn, Going in Style).

Joker arrives in theaters on October 4. 

So what do you think? Are you excited about Joker? Do you think this will finally earn Joaquin Phoenix a sorely deserved Academy Award? Sound off in the comments!