The more I read about this movie, the more I'm convinced that Phillips made this to fuck with WB, DC, and capeshit fans, and fleece Hollywood out of millions of dollars in the process.

Phillips refused to coordinate with anyone from DC because he was never making a Batman movie or one that was meant to tie into anything else.

He insisted on shooting entirely in LA despite how expensive it is.

He refused any test screenings and insisted on premiering it at the Venice Film Festival.

Got $20 million paychecks for himself and Phoenix (Gaga got paid $12 mil iirc).

Joker made so much money that a sequel was going to be made, and I can only conclude that either Phillips got too full of himself and got lost in the sauce making a bonkers sequel or he's just been fucking with everyone who demands more and more Jonkler slop.

The whole thing could also be another weird meta performance art thing that Joaquin Phoenix has done in the past.