First Look At Joaquin Phoenix's Creepy Clown Transformation For The Joker

Footage leaked earlier this week showed Joaquin Phoenix in character as the Joker for the first time. That was cool and all, but there was none of that green hair, no OTT make-up, or any of the iconic super-villain's other trademark features - just some dude with floppy hair and a tan jacket.

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Now we've been given another glimpse thanks to a clip taken from a 'camera test' with the actor, posted to Instagram by Joker director Todd Phillips.

He simply captioned the post: "Camera test (w/ sound). Joker."

While many fans began to grow excited at the first look of Phoenix seemingly in his Joker costume, others were quick to point out that because it was footage from a camera test - which are conducted purely to get a vibe of how things are working together between the camera, actor and other elements like make-up or costume.

"This was only a screen test and even if they'll ended up using this looks, it'll probably be the first main act of the movie and not the final look," one Instagrammer wrote.

Another commented: "I love this but the make up is just the starting, but hey it's gonna be awesome when the movie comes out."

Someone else theorised: "Based on the flashes shown throughout this it looks like make-up he might wear as a part of his comedy act that fails, so I doubt this is the actual Joker make-up."

Todd Phillips/Instagram

Regardless of whether or not what we've seen will be the Joker's full regalia, it's still a pretty chilling clip. As the clapperboard goes down, we see Phoenix stood still as the dull, cardigan-clad 'Arthur' with his hands in his pockets. As the camera zooms in slowly, the actor starts smiling, before he morphs into the Joker - wearing a full face of make-up and a red suit, his hair slicked back.

The film, which is due to hit cinemas in October 2019, will reportedly be set in the 80s, following the Joker from his early days as a failed comedian before he turns to a life of crime in Gotham City.

Warner Bros has described it as 'an exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale' and, along with Phoenix in the titular role, it will also features Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler and Marc Maron.

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman