We still aren’t sure if Warner Bros/ DC is making a good choice about creating an alternate Joker film while they are still trying to make a go of their current DCEU Joker (Jared Leto), but they are definitely making a lot of the right choices when it comes to casting. It was announced a while back that Joaquin Phoenix would be taking on the lead role in the origin tale of the crown prince of crime. Now THR is reporting that Robert De Niro is in talks to join the project as well.

Adding De Niro to the film makes a lot of sense. After all, director Todd Phillips has continually referenced two of his films as touchstones for his Joker movie: Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. Official word will have to come down soon, as the film is supposed to start filming in NYC this September.