Watch the first trailer for the new DC parody movie, The People’s Joker

The People’s Joker finally hits US theaters next month, and now we have the first trailer for the critically acclaimed film.

Co-written and directed by Vera Drew, the flamboyant coming-of-age spoof boldly reinvents the Joker’s origin story as a painfully awkward aspiring clown (Drew) struggles with her gender identity.

Joker the Harlequin then joins the ranks of Gotham City’s only comedy program in a world where comedy is banned. Teaming up with the other outcasts and misfits, she forms an illegal anti-comedy troupe that sets her on a collision course with the sly caped crusader.

The People’s Joker will open at the IFC Center in New York City on April 5 before expanding to more than 20 cities across the US and Canada in the coming weeks.

The People’s Joker was originally shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022 before further screenings were canceled due to copyright issues with the source material.

The film is in no way created by, endorsed by, or affiliated with DC Comics or any of its affiliated companies.

In addition to directing, co-writing and starring in The People’s Joker, Vera Drew also edited the film. It’s inspired by her own life as a trans woman and artist, and she co-wrote the script with close collaborator Bri LeRose.

Following its festival screenings, The People’s Joker sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews praising it for being “gloriously funny” as well as a “genuinely poignant tale of self-acceptance”.

The film was shot entirely on green screen and features the work of over 200 independent, predominantly queer creators. It also features cameos from Bob Odenkirk, Maria Bamford and Scott Aukerman.

We’re still waiting on UK release details for The People’s Joker, but let’s hope we don’t have too long to wait.

The People’s Joker begins its theatrical release in the US and Canada on April 5.

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