No, Batman is not the kid in the movie Joker. The kid in Joker is a young Bruce Wayne who briefly appears in the movie. Bruce Wayne grows up to become Batman as an adult, but he is not Batman yet as a child in the film. The movie Joker focuses on the origin story of the Joker character, played by Joaquin Phoenix. While young Bruce Wayne has a small role, the main character is the man who eventually becomes the Joker.
Who is the kid in Joker?
The kid in Joker is a young Bruce Wayne, who Batman fans know grows up to become Batman. In the movie, Bruce is about 8-10 years old and is seen only briefly in a few scenes. He is the son of wealthy Thomas and Martha Wayne. One of the key scenes involving young Bruce shows him standing over the bodies of his dead parents in the alley after they have been murdered. This traumatic event is what leads Bruce Wayne to eventually become Batman.
So while the kid in the movie is definitely Bruce Wayne, he is only at the very start of his journey to becoming a vigilante superhero. The kid Bruce has not taken on the Batman persona yet when we see him in Joker.
How old is Bruce Wayne in Joker?
Bruce Wayne is depicted as being about 8-10 years old in the brief scenes he appears in the Joker movie. The young actor Dante Pereira-Olson plays this childhood version of Bruce.
Later in the movie, Bruce is shown to be a teenager when he attends the movie theater and sees the Joker emerge. So the film shows Bruce at two different younger ages before he grows up to be Batman. But he is still a child throughout the events of this film.
The Joker movie is set in 1981. If Bruce is around 10 in the movie, he would have been born in the early 1970s, placing him on the eventual trajectory to become Batman in the future. So while he’s just a boy in Joker, he is on the path toward fighting crime in Gotham City one day as an adult.
Analysis of Bruce Wayne’s role in Joker
When does young Bruce Wayne appear in Joker?
Bruce Wayne shows up briefly in a few key scenes throughout Joker:
– At the beginning of the movie, young Bruce is seen frolicking and playing with his friend on the grounds of Wayne Manor. This lighthearted moment depicts Bruce’s privileged but seemingly carefree childhood before tragedy strikes.
– Later on, Bruce and his parents attend a screening of a Zorro film at a grand movie theater. Their butler Alfred is also present with them. This establishes that Bruce has a comfortable upbringing with his wealthy family.
– Toward the middle of the film, Bruce and his parents exit the theater and end up going through a dark alleyway nearby. It is in this alley that a desperate man with a gun murders Bruce’s parents during a robbery attempt. A terrified Bruce is left standing over their lifeless bodies, with only a trickle of blood on his face as a sign of what’s happened.
– Finally, during the riots at the end of the film, Bruce is again shown at the murder scene in the alley, stricken with grief as he mourns his parents’ death. This frames Joker’s conclusion and cements Bruce’s tragic origins.
So Bruce Wayne bookends the movie, highlighting his trauma and laying the foundation for why Bruce dedicates himself to protecting Gotham City later on as Batman.
Why is young Bruce Wayne in Joker?
Director Todd Phillips included glimpses of young Bruce Wayne at key points in Joker to establish a connection in this version of the Batman mythology between Bruce and the man who becomes the Joker character.
Showing the murders of Bruce’s parents demonstrates how Joker was indirectly responsible for the creation of Batman. If Joker had not killed Bruce’s parents, Bruce would not have been inspired to train himself to fight crime and protect Gotham.
Bruce’s scenes also reinforce the gritty, grounded tone of this realistic Joker origin story. Seeing Bruce go through such a disturbing, violent experience as a child reminds the audience that Joker takes place in the real world, not a cartoonish fantasy setting.
Finally, featuring Bruce sets up the broader DC universe without making the movie a distracting crossover with other characters. Hints are dropped about Batman, but Joker stays focused on developing the main character rather than cramming in Easter eggs or setting up sequels.
Did young Bruce Wayne meet the Joker?
No, the young Bruce Wayne featured in Joker never directly crosses paths or meets the man who would become his archrival, the Joker. Their storylines intersect briefly but they do not actually interact.
The separate story arcs unfolding in the movie converge when the man who transforms into the Joker, Arthur Fleck, murders Bruce’s parents during a random street robbery. This chance horrific encounter is what connects the two characters together in this version of the Batman story.
However, Bruce does not see the robbery take place. He only sees the aftermath, finding his dead parents lying in the alley. The shooter has already fled the scene, so Bruce does not witness or meet the man responsible, Arthur Fleck, face to face.
The closest Bruce comes to encountering his future nemesis is when he attends the movie theater as a teenager and watches Arthur emerge after his final transformation into the fully formed Joker. But even in this scene, Bruce sees Joker from a distance in a crowd, not in a direct interaction.
Their separate story arcs exist in parallel rather than intersecting directly. Young Bruce remains unaware of who murdered his parents or that this man will someday become his greatest foe as Joker. That dynamic will only emerge years later when Bruce is Batman.
Joker Movie Background
When was Joker released?
The Joker movie was released in theaters on October 4, 2019. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2019 and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival later that month before its official public theatrical release in October.
Who directed Joker?
Joker was directed by Todd Phillips, best known previously for directing The Hangover trilogy of comedy films. This dark, gritty character study represented a major departure from his prior filmmaking work.
Who wrote the Joker movie?
The screenplay for Joker was co-written by director Todd Phillips and Scott Silver. Phillips and Silver crafted an original story focused on the origin of the Joker character that had never been explored in previous Batman films.
What is Joker rated?
Joker is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief sexual images. This reflects the adult, serious tone of the film compared to other comic book movies.
Analyzing Joaquin Phoenix’s Performance as Joker
How did Joaquin Phoenix prepare for his role as Joker?
To inhabit such an intense, unsettling character, Joaquin Phoenix undertook extensive preparation for his role as Joker:
– Phoenix lost 52 pounds to have a gaunt, emaciated look that reflected Arthur Fleck’s inner turmoil.
– He worked with a choreographer to perfect Arthur’s uneasy, jittery physicality and laugh.
– To get into a chaotic mindset, Phoenix isolated himself from others, depriving himself of sleep and human connection.
– He studied mental illnesses like pathological laughter to construct Arthur’s unpredictable, disturbed personality.
– Phoenix drew inspiration from classic silent films, acting without words to convey complex emotions through facial expressions and body language.
– He improvised scenes like dancing in the bathroom to organically capture Arthur’s spontaneous, crazed character.
– Phoenix researched real-life political assassins to inform his choices when Arthur murders talk show host Murray Franklin on live TV.
Overall, Phoenix fully committed himself physically, mentally, and emotionally to portraying Arthur Fleck’s metamorphosis into the menacing Joker in a realistic, unsettling way.
How did Joaquin Phoenix interpret the Joker character?
Joaquin Phoenix presented a version of the Joker never seen before on screen – a failed, mentally ill comedian and party clown who turns to violence and chaos when society fails him. His interpretation of the iconic villain included:
– Showing Arthur Fleck as an isolated, disturbed outcast struggling with mental health issues.
– Portraying Arthur as initially vulnerable before his violent rebellion against an unjust world.
– Capturing how Arthur slowly loses his grip on reality and becomes the homicidal Joker.
– Conveying the alienation and lack of empathy that drives the Joker’s nihilism and criminality.
– Showing the Joker’s capacity for both dark humor and psychological horror.
– Displaying the Joker’s talent for showmanship even in his worst violence.
– Presenting a raw, stripped-down version of the character without the theatricality familiar from past films.
Overall, Phoenix humanized the Joker in an unsettling way while still capturing his menacing, anarchic core, reinventing the character for a new generation.
How was Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker different from past versions?
Joaquin Phoenix’s interpretation diverged significantly from previous Joker portrayals in films like those by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger:
– He was younger, in his 30s and 40s, not depicted as already in conflict with Batman.
– His origin story was presented in detail rather than being vague or unknown.
– Mental illness and a lack of identity were emphasized more than criminal genius.
– The costume design was simpler and grittier, without a bright purple suit or bizarre props.
– He was portrayed as more vulnerable and victimized before his psychotic break.
– His violence was shown as more chaotic and instinctual rather than carefully planned.
– He embodied raw, unsettling mania more than sardonic wit or brilliant manipulation.
So while certain signature elements like the character’s unhinged nature and humor remained, Phoenix radically reinvented the Joker in alignment with the film’s grounded, intimate approach compared to past blockbuster films.
Reactions and Analysis
How was Joker received by critics?
Joker received widespread critical acclaim for its bold reinvention of the iconic villain and Joaquin Phoenix’s transformative performance:
– Critics praised the film’s grim tone and gritty 1970s aesthetic.
– They highlighted Phoenix’s physicality and psychological intensity as Arthur Fleck.
– Many called it a groundbreaking comic book film Oscar-worthy for best actor.
– The social commentary on urban unrest and mental illness was applauded.
– Phoenix’s fully committed performance was seen as taking the Joker in a convincingly dark direction.
– Some critiqued the sympathetic portrayal of a disturbed murderer.
– But most felt it took risks that paid off with a visceral viewing experience.
With an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 62/100 average on Metacritic, critics assessed Joker as an audacious reinvention of the character that succeeded due to Phoenix’s fearless acting.
What was the audience response to Joker?
Joker captivated general audiences, garnering over $1 billion worldwide on a $55 million budget. Fans responded enthusiastically:
– Audiences praised the film’s uncompromisingly grim tone and pacing.
– Phoenix’s Joker was lauded as one of the all-time great villain portrayals.
– His manic laughter, dance sequences, and transformation enthralled viewers.
– Fans debated the themes of mental illness, revenge, and class divisions.
– Many clamored to see Phoenix face off with a new cinematic Batman.
– Some expressed concern the film could inspire real violence.
– But most simply found it an enthralling, thought-provoking character study.
In the end, the moviegoing public found Joker a can’t-miss cinematic experience that left the character changed forever.
Did Joker inspire any real-world violence?
Despite widespread concerns about the film’s dark tone potentially inspiring violence, there were no confirmed incidents of Joker directly motivating any threatening behavior or attacks when it opened.
A mass shooting at a theater showing Joker was thwarted by police, but the suspect had no definitive ties to the film. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued warnings about possible threats, leading theaters to increase security.
But there were no notable acts of violence specifically connected to Joker when it was released, defying fears it could incite unhinged individuals. Audiences seemed capable of appreciating the film as fiction and a psychological character study rather than a call to arms.
Of course, the merits of presenting such a gritty, transgressive portrayal of a nihilistic killer can be debated. But Joker did not clearly lead to any imitation or violence, suggesting it struck an appropriate balance between provocative art and irresponsible sensationalism.
Joker’s Impact and Legacy
How did Joker change the comic book movie genre?
Joker made a bold leap to a more mature, prestige approach to comic book films. Its innovations evolved the genre:
– It was the first R-rated film featuring a major comic book villain as the protagonist.
– The thought-provoking focus on mental health and character psychology had not been seen before in a mainstream comic book movie.
– Phoenix’s Oscar-winning performance elevated acting in comic book films to new heights.
– The period setting and grimy aesthetic created a bold new tonal direction.
– Its wild success, both critically and commercially, showed the potential for comic book movies to feel fresh and artistic, not just action-oriented.
– It expanded the storytelling possibilities by diving into an iconic character’s untold backstory.
Joker proved comic book films could powerfully reflect real-world issues while still resonating with mass audiences, not just function as special effects-driven spectacles.
Did Joker inspire any similar films?
Joker almost immediately inspired other filmmakers to announce plans for movies with a similar tone and style:
– Todd Phillips proposed sequels continuing Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker’s story.
– A prequel TV series called Joker: Folie à Deux was announced, with Phoenix returning along with Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
-Origin stories focusing on villains like Venom, Morbius, and Kraven the Hunter borrowed from Joker’s creative approach.
– Films like The Batman adopted a darker, more psychologically complex take on the title hero, just as Joker did for his nemesis.
– Other mature graphic novel adaptations like Snowpiercer and The Boys emulated Joker’s gritty R-rated sensibility.
So Joker rapidly spawned a new wave of intense, inventive comic book films targeted at adult audiences rather than just children. It expanded the boundaries of what stories and styles could thrive in the mainstream superhero genre.
What were the long-term effects of Joker on DC Comics movies?
Joker’s influence was felt long after its release in shaking up DC Comics’ film universe:
– It cemented Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker as a franchise unto itself separate from the core DC timeline.
– Joker’s success gave DC more confidence to make character-driven stories unconnected to a broader universe.
– The film paved the way for experimental comic book movies like The Batman that reinvent heroes outside a shared world.
– It enabled movies focused on villains like Venom where the bad guys are the protagonists.
– Joker shifted the tone toward a more mature rating and psychological themes rather than just action and spectacle.
– The vivid visual style and character-centric narratives became a model, moving away from extensive world-building.
Years later, Joker still set the template for how DC comic book movies could succeed by taking risks, telling standalone stories, and diversifying tones and styles. It freed the genre from rigid formulas.
Conclusion
While the brief appearances of young Bruce Wayne connect Joker to the broader Batman mythology, ultimately Bruce is not Batman yet in these early glimpses. He is still years away from that persona. The film remains focused on developing the Joker’s origin story. Joaquin Phoenix’s fully committed performance transformed and reinvented the iconic Joker in a chilling yet humanizing way. Despite fears to the contrary, Joker managed to push the boundaries of comic book movies without inspiring real violence. Its critical and commercial success proved superhero films could feel groundbreaking and artistic, transcending action and effects. Joker’s impact powerfully evolved the genre toward bolder, more diverse approaches to these classic characters.