With DC’s film universe not being the unmitigated critical and commercial success Warner Bros. obviously hoped it would be (the only exception being the all-conquering Wonder Woman), it appears the studio is now looking to how it can explore and use some its iconic characters away from the interconnected universe – even if they’re already involved in that wider series. Indeed, it sounds as is rather than aping the Marvel movies, Warner/DC is now hoping to be more like what Disney/Lucasfilm is doing with Star Wars.

Warner/DC is setting up a new production banner for these ‘unique’ movies, with one of the first ones planned an origin film for The Joker. Hangover and War Dogs helmer Todd Phillips has signed up to write and direct the movie, and interestingly Variety adds that Martin Scorsese in talks to have some sort of behind-the-scenes role, although it’s not currently certain what that might be.

The film will apparently, ‘take place in the ’80s and have more of the look of a gritty crime drama than comic book movie, which had a lot to do with getting Scorsese’s commitment to the project.’ It also won’t feature Jared Leto in the central role, despite the actor playing the Joker in Suicide Squad, and being involved in both the sequel and a possible movie focussing on the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn.

It’s not currently known when we might see the film, but it’s certainly an interesting direction for Warner/DC to take.