Phillips’ Joker movie is being produced and distributed by Warner Bros., but it is being conceived as separate from the DC Extended Universe. Jared Leto is the current Joker in the DCEU, having played the character in “Suicide Squad.” The standalone Joker film is an alleged prequel film that chronicles the Joker’s rise to mafia king. The film is expected to be in the vein of a Martin Scorsese gangster film.

News has already broke that Warner Bros. wanted the Joker film to be in front of cameras before the end of the year. What we didn't know was the fact that the film is expected to start production in September, according to Omega Underground. The Joker film, which will be directed by The Hangover Trilogy's Todd Phillips, will also be produced by Martin Scorsese.

Rumored to be set in 1980's Gotham City, with New York as its stand in, the film will aim to match the tones of Raging Bull and Taxi Driver, two works of which Scorsese directed in the past.

The projected start date of production implies that the film will be released in theaters next year. It is likely that the film will debut in either the late summer or early fall. If Warner Bros. is confident enough in the material it is possible that they may push Joaquin Phoenix's performance during award season. Having Scorsese taking the reins as a producer is a good move strategically when aiming for voters' attention. With a mid-range budget that is far below any of DC's recent endeavors, expect the film to be a full-blown character study on the iconic villain.

The Joker origin movie is officially a go at Warner Bros. Joaquin Phoenix recently finalized his deal to star as the arch-nemesis of Batman and shooting will begin September in New York.