Phoenix is portraying the DC Comics villain in a film that is more moderately budgeted and darker than the studio’s other DC-based movies, known as the DC Cinematic Universe. The project is also described as more of a dark character study than a crime thriller, with Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy as the tonal watchwords.

While details of the Phillips- and Scott Silver-penned script are being kept under wraps, if a deal is made, Beetz would play a single mother who catches the interest of the man who will become the "clown prince of crime."

Joker is due to begin shooting in September in New York. The studio has set an Oct. 4, 2019, release date.

Beetz gained notices for her breakout work on FX’s Donald Glover-led series Atlanta. The show trampolined her into high-profile movie roles, including the Deadpool sequel and Fox Searchlight’s upcoming Noah Hawley sci-fi drama starring Natalie Portman. The actress also has Steven Soderbergh’s High Flying Bird in postproduction.

Beetz is repped by Gersh.