The choices on the movie marquee this weekend included Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, a film about Donald Trump, a “Saturday Night Live” origin story and even Pharrell Williams as a Lego.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is the No. 1 movie at the box office but is not destined for a happy ending.

“Joker” is a hard act to follow.

Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” won the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion award Saturday.

Five years after “Joker” won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, director Todd Phillips can’t help but be a little nervous about returning with its sequel.

The seasonal differences of the movie calendar have eroded a little bit with time.

After $1 billion at the box office, 11 Oscar nominations and two major wins, including for Joaquin Phoenix, it’s easy to forget the handwringing over “Joker.”.

The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival has begun, with major Hollywood films and stars arriving in Italy.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are getting ready to descend on the Venice Film Festival this week, from George Clooney and Angelina Jolie to Lady Gaga, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and Joaquin Phoenix.

Five years after “Joker” won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, filmmaker Todd Phillips is returning with the sequel.

Warner Bros.

In Ari Aster’s new film “Beau is Afraid,” Joaquin Phoenix plays an anxious man in a rotten world who goes on a wildly weird journey, both Homeric and Oedipal, to his mother’s home.

For director and actor Olivia Wilde, the dream of the Venice International Film Festival was woven into the fabric of her new film, “Don’t Worry Darling.”.

Ivan Reitman had his army of well-known, frequent collaborators but the filmmaker and producer’s influence extended beyond that too, as evidenced by the tributes that poured in at the news of his sudden passing at age 75.

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 file photo, actress Cate Blanchett poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'A Star Is Born' at the 75th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. The lineup for the Venice Film Festival will be announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, and will be the first major film event since the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Barbera noted that almost half of the competition film selections this year are directed by women. The decision to hold the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival is experienced like a sign of confidence in dnd concrete support of the world of film and the audiovisual industry, Barbera said. Cannes and Telluride were cancelled and others like Venice and the Toronto International Film Festival have had to get creative and scale back where possible in order to proceed.

BALDWIN, Fla. – The man who police say was gunned down by his coworker at a Baldwin truck stop was laid to rest in Northwest Jacksonville on Saturday morning. Loved ones say 58-year-old Todd Phillips is the man who died at the Pilot gas station more than a week ago. It was a quiet morning as Phillips’ loved ones entered the Holy Tabernacle Church. While family and friends honor and remember Phillips, there was another person who was shot, who police did not identify. News4Jax found the other man shot was also an employee of the trucking company.

BALDWIN, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Friday identified the man accused of shooting two people — one fatally — at a Baldwin truck stop before exchanging gunfire with officers along a busy interstate. Family told News4Jax that Todd Phillips was the man who was shot and killed outside the truck stop. JSO said Edwards, 56, worked for Rinaudo Enterprises Inc. and the shooting that occurred at the truck stop was not random but rather a case of workplace violence. Friends said Todd Phillips, 58, was killed by a co-worker at a Baldwin truck stop. JSO said the incident continues to be an active investigation and asks anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing us Joker wouldn't be another Batman origin story. The Wayne family is established early on in the story, with Arthur's mother, Penny (Frances Conroy), writing to businessman-turned-politico Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) asking for financial assistance. That's right: Batman and Joker are half-brothers, at least according to Penny. Movie-goers are now twisting the Batman canon with their own theories, one of which says that Phoenix's Joker is not actually the Joker but a predecessor who inspires another Joker to emerge, a Joker who will become Batman's longtime foe. RELATED CONTENT:How Joaquin Phoenix Perfected His 'Joker' Laugh (Exclusive)Will There Be a 'Joker' Sequel?

Joker only just arrived in theaters, but it's already the most controversial movie of the year. Director Todd Phillips' origin story -- about a disturbed wannabe comedian, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), who will become DC's Clown Prince of Crime -- is either the best film of the year or dangerously reckless, with few opinions falling in the middle. At the Venice Film Festival, where it had its premiere, Joker received an eight-minute standing ovation. Joker was announced as a standalone film outside WB's ongoing DC Extended Universe, but is a sequel something Phillips is interested in? RELATED CONTENT:How Joaquin Phoenix Perfected His 'Joker' Laugh (Exclusive)Joaquin Phoenix Lost 50 Pounds for 'Joker': Inside His Physical Transformation (Exclusive)Upcoming DC Movies: The Full List From 'The Batman' to 'Wonder Woman 1984' and Beyond

There is a constituency eager to blame Hollywood for contributing to societal ills that includes plenty of dishonest brokers. (At the risk of stating the obvious, this R-rated film is not for children, although a parade of related Halloween costumes seems sadly inevitable.) Ultimately, "Joker" is about the making of a monster, told in a manner that seeks to evoke empathy without rooting for him -- a fine line, underscoring a level of ambition beyond what's usually associated with comic-book-adjacent fare. Phoenix's live-wire work alone makes "Joker" an intriguing film, if one that has been conspicuously overpraised amid the irrational exuberance of film festivals. "Joker" premieres Oct. 4 in the US and is rated R. The film is being released by Warner Bros., like CNN, a unit of WarnerMedia.

And boy, does Joaquin Phoenix laugh. The result is like one of the Joker's "HA HAHA HA HA" speech bubbles from the comics brought to life, though the process to find it weighed on Phoenix. "I asked Todd to come over to my house to audition the laugh, and he said that wasn't necessary. "But a lot of it wasn't choreographed," Phoenix added. Instead, he found inspiration in vaudeville star Ray Bolger's performance of "The Old Soft Shoe" and found himself channeling Bolger's movements.

In the clip, an irritated Phoenix is seemingly trying to concentrate and cursing while complaining about a man named Larry. "I'm trying to, like, find something real." I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry you guys had to see that." "So it was wrong of me, I'm sorry, but he shouldn't have done it."

On Saturday, Joaquin Phoenix was joined by longtime girlfriend Rooney Mara at the lavish premiere of his new film, Joker. He also sported a mustache and beard at the rollout for the film, which earned him the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and is already attracting awards season buzz. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty ImagesAnd in August, the pair exuded Old Hollywood glamour while side by side at the rollout for Joker at the Venice Film Festival. Phoenix wore a tuxedo with a bow tie. RELATED CONTENT:'Joker' Director Todd Phillips Discusses Popular Theory | Full InterviewBradley Cooper Makes Dapper Surprise Appearance at 'Joker' Premiere -- PicsRooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix Are the Cutest Couple at Cannes Closing Ceremony -- See the Sweet Pics

The Joker premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival on Monday got an extra dose of star power! Bradley Cooper graced the red carpet of the DC film, posing with the film's cast, including Joaquin Phoenix, who plays the Clown Prince of Crime. Although his appearance was a surprise to fans, the 44-year-old leading man wasn't merely there to show his support -- he's a producer on the project. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August, where it earned the Golden Lion jury award and sweeping acclaim for Phoenix's portrayal of villainous titular character. RELATED CONTENT:Joaquin Phoenix Goes Full Joker While Shooting Intense Chase SceneJoaquin Phoenix Transforms Into the Joker in First Clip of Him in Full MakeupSee First Look at Joaquin Phoenix in 'Joker' Standalone Film

Warner Bros. Pictures via CNNVENICE, Italy (CNN) - Let's put a smile on that face: A "Batman" prequel scored big Saturday at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival. Todd Phillips' "Joker" took home the festival's big prize, the Golden Lion for Best Film. The movie, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and is slated to hit theaters on October 4, explores the origins of the Joker, Batman's archenemy. Phillips also thanked Phoenix, who joined him on stage. The 76th Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest film festival, was held August 28 through September 7.

"She was such a star, but we didn't get to see that much of her [in Suicide Squad]. (Gunn has since returned to the Marvel fold and will helm Guardians 3 following The Suicide Squad.) sequel, WB has long been in-the-works on an origin story centered on longtime Shazam adversary and occasional antihero, Black Adam. "Black Adam is an antihero -- or villain -- who I cannot wait to play....They're all getting their a** kicked when I play Black Adam. Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra (Disney's Jungle Cruise)Starring: Dwayne JohnsonFind out even more about Black Adam here.