Vera Drew’s debut feature The People’s Joker evades all easy descriptions. It’s a trans coming-of-age film constructed with deep knowledge and affection for DC comics (and their many film adaptations) that also takes aim at the male-dominated comedy community and the mechanisms that determine stardom. Combining comedy, action, drama and an impressive number of different animation styles, The People’s Joker is a self-conscious, intentional cult film, crafted with genuine love for everything in the margins. And it tells a story everyone can relate to, about a kid growing up and trying to find happiness and success in a dark, troubled world. And in this world, Batman is the villain. He rules Gotham with an army of drones, while using his power and influence to control every aspect of media and culture — even comedy.
But not for long. Joker (Drew) arrives in Gotham with one purpose: to become a...
But not for long. Joker (Drew) arrives in Gotham with one purpose: to become a...
- 4/16/2024
- by Jourdain Searles
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you're just waking up to the saga of "The People's Joker," it starts out the way most comic book characters do — with a tragic origin story. After working as an editor for shows like "On Camera," "Comedy Bang! Bang!," and earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for "Who is America?," Vera Drew successfully crowdfunded her fair use feature directorial debut, in which she utilizes the iconography of arguably one the most recognizable DC Comics world — Batman and the Joker — to tell a queer, autobiographical coming-of-age Joker origin story that doubles as a massive middle finger to Lorne Michaels and the conventional, corporate comedy landscape. "The People's Joker" enjoyed a single screening at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival before it was pulled due to "rights issues."
Fortunately, Drew refused to go down without a fight, and after proving the film is protected under parody law, the Lgbtqia+-focused distribution company...
Fortunately, Drew refused to go down without a fight, and after proving the film is protected under parody law, the Lgbtqia+-focused distribution company...
- 4/1/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Typically, saying you're more excited about something other than the new Lady Gaga project is fair grounds for having your queer card taken away, but an exception can be made in the case of "The People's Joker." Indeed, as intrigued as I am to watch Gaga's Harley Quinn sing and dance her way through a toxic romance with Joaquin Phoenix's Clown Prince of Crime in Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux" (a sentence I couldn't have imagined writing after watching Phillips' original Scorsesean DC drama for the first time back in 2019), it's Vera Drew's trans-coming-of-age DC Comics superhero parody that has my current attention.
Drew, similar to her fellow trans comedienne Harper Steele (the subject of Will Ferrell's acclaimed upcoming Netflix documentary "Will & Harper"), has quietly worked on some of the more memorable and daring comedic offerings of the past decade. In addition to editing Scott Aukerman...
Drew, similar to her fellow trans comedienne Harper Steele (the subject of Will Ferrell's acclaimed upcoming Netflix documentary "Will & Harper"), has quietly worked on some of the more memorable and daring comedic offerings of the past decade. In addition to editing Scott Aukerman...
- 3/5/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
The internet has gone Gaga for Harley Quinn in “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
As a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, writer-director Todd Phillips released the first image of Stefani Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, in character as Harleen Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn. The great DC character will likely play a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, where she falls in love with “Mr. J.”, Joaquin Phoenix returning to his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck (better known as Joker).
Gaga’s Harley, based on this image, doesn’t have any of the white makeup or domino mask, but has her hair pulled back in a forceful manner and has Quite an extreme puss on her face. She’s staring right into Fleck’s eyes who, in harsh lighting, kinda looks like Robin Williams a little, doesn’t he?
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips...
As a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, writer-director Todd Phillips released the first image of Stefani Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, in character as Harleen Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn. The great DC character will likely play a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, where she falls in love with “Mr. J.”, Joaquin Phoenix returning to his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck (better known as Joker).
Gaga’s Harley, based on this image, doesn’t have any of the white makeup or domino mask, but has her hair pulled back in a forceful manner and has Quite an extreme puss on her face. She’s staring right into Fleck’s eyes who, in harsh lighting, kinda looks like Robin Williams a little, doesn’t he?
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips...
- 2/15/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
With Robert Pattinson answering the Bat-Signal for Matt Reeves’ sequel to 2022’s The Batman, we know the Batcave won’t be empty for long, but much like any superhero casting these days, there were naysayers that thought the former Twilight favorite wouldn’t fit the cape and cowl.
Now that most of them have been proved wrong, is Hollywood finally ready to accept its new Batman? There are whispers that Pattinson has been locked in for a trilogy of movies and various spin-offs, but in some Elseworlds tale, it could’ve been someone completely different carrying the weight of Gotham City on his back. There have been a lot of Batmen over the years, and with that, even more who’ve missed out on the part. Let’s look back at 10 stars who nearly played Batman.
Pierce Brosnan (Batman)
Leaving comic book fans shaken and stirred, 007 himself was once tipped to play the Dark Knight.
Now that most of them have been proved wrong, is Hollywood finally ready to accept its new Batman? There are whispers that Pattinson has been locked in for a trilogy of movies and various spin-offs, but in some Elseworlds tale, it could’ve been someone completely different carrying the weight of Gotham City on his back. There have been a lot of Batmen over the years, and with that, even more who’ve missed out on the part. Let’s look back at 10 stars who nearly played Batman.
Pierce Brosnan (Batman)
Leaving comic book fans shaken and stirred, 007 himself was once tipped to play the Dark Knight.
- 1/6/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
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