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

2. Donald Trump (Then And Now)

President-Elect Trump And Vice President-Elect Pence Meet With House Speaker Paul Ryan On Capitol Hill
2016 Getty Images

Alec Baldwin may no longer be playing him, but the Thomas Wayne of this movie is nonetheless going to be inspired by the Donald Trump of the 1970s and 80s, with the character viewed as a cheesy businessman, and it'll be intriguing to see Wayne in the mould of a brash, bulls**tting billionaire.

Whether that's actually how he is, or simply how Arthur Fleck perceives him, remains to be seen, but the Trump parallels will be in the movie, and that goes for some more relevant commentary too.

With the idea of a person like Wayne-as-Trump running for office, it obviously calls to mind Trump's own election campaign.

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Contributor
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.