Joker Origin Movie: 9 Key Influences You'll See In Joaquin Phoenix's Performance

7. Tim Burton's Batman Movies

Danny Devito Penguin
Warner Brothers

In the set video of the Joker attacking the subway station, a sign can be spotted reading 'CLOWN4MAYOR'. Another set leak, meanwhile, reveals that Thomas Wayne himself will be running for Mayor of Gotham.

That's a political angle that calls to mind Batman Returns, which saw another classic Bat-villain making a bid for office. We don't know yet whether or not Joker will actually run, but the idea of Gotham citizens rejecting the establishment and turning to an outsider definitely invokes Danny DeVito's Penguin in Tim Burton's underrated movie.

Sticking with Burton, it also, sort of, echoes his first Batman movie - there, the Joker parade presented the character as something of a saviour for the city of Gotham, and you get a similar sense in the subway scene.

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Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.