Playing the Joker these days is a tough gig.

After all, it’s hard to top the efforts of Heath Ledger, and following his death, that performance in The Dark Knight has only grown more revered.

The Joker gig didn’t work out all that well for Jared Leto, who was met with a pretty lukewarm reception for playing the role in Suicide Squad, and now it’s the turn of Joaquin Phoenix.

Before we get to that video, here’s some info on the first image released via GameSpot:

The first image of actor Joaquin Phoenix in the role of the Joker for the upcoming standalone film focused on Batman’s nemesis has been revealed.

Director Todd Phillips posted a picture of Phoenix in character on his Instagram page with the caption “Arthur.” It was previously rumoured that the Joker will go by Arthur Fleck in the new film, and this new post seems to confirm it.

Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, and Frances Conroy have also signed on to play parts in the upcoming standalone Joker movie.

The film will be an origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime, and it is currently filming.

Sadly, Jared Leto plans on reprising his role as the Joker in another upcoming movie, too.

Anyway, here’s the first video footage as Joaquin channelling his crazy:

Does have that slightly deranged look in his eyes, but it’s going to take something special to rival Heath.

If you want to go full nerd, here’s an in-depth look at what may lie ahead:

[source:gamestop]