“The People’s Joker,” a queer coming-of-age movie set in the Batman universe, has been pulled from the Toronto International Film Festival over alleged “rights issues.”
Directed by Los Angeles-based director Vera Drew, the mixed-media movie follows an aspiring clown (played by Drew) struggling with her gender identity while dreaming of being cast in a TV sketch show among a cast of Jokers and Harlequins.
An official synopsis from TIFF reads: “With comedy criminalized in Gotham City, the show is the only government-sanctioned space for funny people, but only those who will toe the party line. Disillusioned by a botched audition, Vera partners with a birdlike slacker to found their own alternative comedy troupe, attracting not only a rogues’ gallery of would-be comics, but also the ire of a fascistic caped crusader.”
Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns DC Comics and holds the rights to the Batman universe, hasn’t yet commented on the film, though it’s likely that the studio got involved to block the screenings. Variety has contacted Warner Bros. Discovery for comment.
The film, which is being sold by UTA, was programmed as part of the fest’s popular Midnight Madness selection, and screened on Tuesday night. Its three subsequent screenings, however, have now been canceled.
The Canadian Press reported on Wednesday that in a post-screening Q&A, Drew said she had edited out scenes from the 2019 film “Joker” that were previously included.
In a statement on the title’s official TIFF page, the festival posted a short statement noting that the “filmmaker has withdrawn this film due to rights issues. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Variety has contacted TIFF for further comment.
More to come.
