Until further plot points about Joaquin Phoenixs upcoming Joker movie are revealed, all we have to go on are ridiculous scraps. An eerie image of Phoenix here, a terrible set report about allegedly overworked extras there. A rogue Alec Baldwin appearing, then disappearing from the cast list, like a red nose tossed into the Gotham River. So much and so little all at the same time.
The latest scrap weve acquired? A blessedly insane paparazzi shot of Phoenix, in full Joker regalia, sprinting on the films New York City set. Hes dressed in a bright red suit, orange-y vest, and green shirt, not unlike a seedy, Prohibition-era version of Ronald McDonald. Hes got full, creepy clown makeup and a jarring grimace to match—though, to be fair, the grimace is the faces natural response to going for a run. Unless the face belongs to this guy. (Remember that guy? Hope hes doing well.) This photo is ridiculous, but also a gift to the teeming masses because its so incredibly meme-able. This photo is you, sprinting toward literally whatever joke you want to apply it to. Its pliable!
Its also still one of very few updates to spring up from the films set. Thus far, the most solid details we know about the movie all pertain to the cast. Phoenix will be joined by Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Marc Maron in the film. Baldwin was reportedly going to join the cast as Thomas Wayne, the sleazy, Donald Trump-esque father of Bruce Wayne (a role Baldwins perfected by now on Saturday Night Live). But after it sprang up, the actor quickly shot that rumor down, saying hes not joining the movie after all due to “scheduling” issues.
“Im sure there are 25 guys who can play that part,” he told USA Today.
And thats about it, really. Phoenix has spoken broadly about the role, lightly elucidating why he chose to join the film, directed by Todd Phillips. “I think hes very impressive, and he seems to have a very interesting understanding of this world and what hes trying to say,” Phoenix said of the director in an interview with Collider. “And so there is something very appealing about that, and working with him on this particular project. It feels unique. It is its own world, in some ways—and maybe, mostly, it scares the fucking shit out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.”
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Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:10 Enchanting Movies and TV Shows About Witches
I Married a Witch
This overlooked 1942 gem stars Veronica Lake, she of the perfect side part, as a colonial Salem-era witch who gets burned at the stake, then reawakened hundreds of years later, determined to get revenge on a descendant of the family who tried to kill her. I Married a Witch is more rom-com than horror, a love story with a healthy serving of cauldrons and broomsticks. Its easy to fall under its spell. (On Filmstruck.)Photo: From Everett Collection.
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
If youre of a certain age and looking for a deep-cut nostalgia trip, Hulu has you covered with a Mary Kate and Ashley joint—one thats well worth revisiting if youre both a 90s kid and a fan of Cloris Leachman, who played the evil witch grandmother at the films center. As with most old media, some parts of the film have aged better than others—but the Olsen magic remains eternal. (On Hulu.)Photo: From Everett Collection.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Ah, yes, the classic cautionary tale about what happens when three college students venture into the woods to investigate local legends. Although this might not count as a witch movie in the typical sense, it would feel wrong to leave Blair Witch out of our selections—especially given its terrifying ending, which makes all the run-up worth it. (On Hulu.)Photo: From ©Artisan Entertainment/Everett Collection.
Charmed
One of the many network enchantments cast by Aaron Spelling is Charmed, a San Francisco-set drama about three sisters—originally played by Shannon Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and Holly Marie Combs—whose combined abilities make them the most powerful witches of all time. Before all you kids out there tuck into the CWs woke reboot, take a trip back to 1998 to see where it all began. (On Netflix.)Photo: From ©Viacom/Everett Collection.
Sabrina: The Teenage Witch
Netflix might have its own Sabrina adaptation on the way, but for now, Melissa Joan Hart still reigns supreme. Besides, even with the new Sabrina coming, this one will always have a place in our hearts; did you hear that the cat wont even talk in the new version? (On Hulu.)Photo: ©Viacom/Courtesy Everett Collection
Practical Magic
In this crunchy New England fall leaf of a film, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock play a pair of witchy sisters battling against a family curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an early death. There are perfect autumnal Massachusetts vibes, plus Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as a pair of aunties who love to cackle over midnight margaritas. (On HBOGo.)Photo: From Everett Collection.
Honorable Mentions
If youve found yourself with enough money to pony up for a couple other rentals, here are some of our favorites that, alas, cannot be streamed for free: Kikis Delivery Service, The Craft, Eves Bayou, The Wizard of Oz, Hocus Pocus, and Bell Book and Candle.Photo: Clockwise from right; From Everett Collection, from Everett Collection, from ©Buena Vista/Everett Collection.PreviousNext
I Married a Witch
This overlooked 1942 gem stars Veronica Lake, she of the perfect side part, as a colonial Salem-era witch who gets burned at the stake, then reawakened hundreds of years later, determined to get revenge on a descendant of the family who tried to kill her. I Married a Witch is more rom-com than horror, a love story with a healthy serving of cauldrons and broomsticks. Its easy to fall under its spell. (On Filmstruck.)From Everett Collection.
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
If youre of a certain age and looking for a deep-cut nostalgia trip, Hulu has you covered with a Mary Kate and Ashley joint—one thats well worth revisiting if youre both a 90s kid and a fan of Cloris Leachman, who played the evil witch grandmother at the films center. As with most old media, some parts of the film have aged better than others—but the Olsen magic remains eternal. (On Hulu.)From Everett Collection.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Ah, yes, the classic cautionary tale about what happens when three college students venture into the woods to investigate local legends. Although this might not count as a witch movie in the typical sense, it would feel wrong to leave Blair Witch out of our selections—especially given its terrifying ending, which makes all the run-up worth it. (On Hulu.)From ©Artisan Entertainment/Everett Collection.
Charmed
One of the many network enchantments cast by Aaron Spelling is Charmed, a San Francisco-set drama about three sisters—originally played by Shannon Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and Holly Marie Combs—whose combined abilities make them the most powerful witches of all time. Before all you kids out there tuck into the CWs woke reboot, take a trip back to 1998 to see where it all began. (On Netflix.)From ©Viacom/Everett Collection.
The Love Witch
Written, directed, and produced by Anna Biller in 2016, this thriller is a painstaking ode to 1960s Technicolor filmmaking, from the era-appropriate cinematography to the mod wardrobe. The film stars Samantha Robinson as Elaine, a witch who heads to northern California in search of a new life—and a new lover—after the death of her husband. Biller cleverly plays with gender norms in The Love Witch, crafting a horror story with a welcome feminist message. (On Amazon Prime.)From ©Oscilloscope/Everett Collection.
The Covenant
This might be the thirstiest warlock film ever made—and if its not, its close. While it does not have much in the way of plot, this supernatural thriller offers plenty of eye candy to make up for its aimlessness: a young(er) Sebastian Stan and Taylor Kitsch, as well as Chace Crawford, just ahead of his Gossip Girl debut. Come for the heated swimming matches; stay for the dated special effects and wooden dialogue. (On Netflix.)From ©Screen Gems/Everett Collection.
The Witch
Robert Eggers grim, methodical debut feature about a terrified Puritan family in 1630s New England was the prestige horror movie of 2015, a carefully wrought blockbuster shepherded to the masses by nu-auteur nifflers A24. The film also served as a breakout for current reigning scream queen Anya Taylor-Joy, who played Thomasin, a teen girl who may or may not be the reason her family is cursed. (On Netflix.)From ©A24/Everett Collection.
Blair Witch (2016)
If you never saw the 2016 follow-up to the original 99 Blair Witch, theres no time like the present. Although the sequel never quite matches the soaring, scare-filled heights of its predecessor, it has some memorable jump scares and body horror—and sometimes, thats all you really need. (On Hulu.)©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sabrina: The Teenage Witch
Netflix might have its own Sabrina adaptation on the way, but for now, Melissa Joan Hart still reigns supreme. Besides, even with the new Sabrina coming, this one will always have a place in our hearts; did you hear that the cat wont even talk in the new version? (On Hulu.)©Viacom/Courtesy Everett Collection
Practical Magic
In this crunchy New England fall leaf of a film, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock play a pair of witchy sisters battling against a family curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an early death. There are perfect autumnal Massachusetts vibes, plus Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as a pair of aunties who love to cackle over midnight margaritas. (On HBOGo.)From Everett Collection.
Honorable Mentions
If youve found yourself with enough money to pony up for a couple other rentals, here are some of our favorites that, alas, cannot be streamed for free: Kikis Delivery Service, The Craft, Eves Bayou, The Wizard of Oz, Hocus Pocus, and Bell Book and Candle.Clockwise from right; From Everett Collection, from Everett Collection, from ©Buena Vista/Everett Collection.
Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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