Robert De Niro in talks to star in 'Joker,' the iconic actor's first comic book movie

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Robert De Niro is stepping into his first comic book movie, joining Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker," the standalone film about the DC Comics archvillain.

De Niro, 74, is in talks to play a role in the film with "Hangover" director Todd Phillips, a person familiar with the situation, but not authorized to speak publicly about it confirms to USA TODAY.

Described as a key role in the formation of The Joker, played by Phoenix, The Hollywood Reporter stated Monday that De Niro would play a talk show host for the film set in Gotham City in the 1980s.

"Joker" is set to start shooting later in the year and is due out Oct. 4, 2019.

This latest look at the villain, ten years after Heath Ledger starred in "The Dark Knight," has been described by the studio as an "exploration of a man disregarded by society" and a gritty character study that is "a broader cautionary tale."

More: Joaquin Phoenix's Joker origin movie gets a title and a 2019 release date

More: 'The Dark Knight' turns 10: How Heath Ledger's Joker fueled our archvillain obsession

De Niro has been a frequent critic of President Trump, most recently dropping the F-bomb twice while discussing Trump on live TV during the Tony Awards last month. Trump then called the "Raging Bull" star "punch drunk."