Justin Theroux is, reportedly, eyeing for a much bigger role in the sequel of the critically-acclaimed Joker movie. The actor is, allegedly, begging the movie lead star Joaquin Phoenix to help him land a role in the sequel.
Star published a story this week claiming that Theroux has been begging Phoenix to help him get a role in Joker 2. The tabloid alleged that Jennifer Aniston's ex-husband has been praising himself to Phoenix and Joker director Todd Phillips so he could land a significant role this time around.
The Leftovers actor had an uncredited cameo appearance in Phoenix's first outing as the Clown Prince of Crime. He played the role of Ethan Chase, a celebrity guest on Murray Franklin's (Robert De Niro) show.
"He kept hitting up Joaquin and the director, Todd Phillips, about how much he loved and believed in the project. And, sure enough, they found a little role for him," a source told Star.
According to the insider, Justin is very eager to have a role in the movie that he is willing to wait for as long as it takes and just be Joaquin's best friend in the meantime. However, Gossip Cop debunked the story. The outlet cited Theroux's spokesperson, who dismissed the report.
Gossip Cop also pointed out that Justin's cameo in the award-winning movie wasn't created to accommodate the actor in the movie. It explained that Ethan Chase was the name of Zach Galifianakis' character in the 2010 movie Due Date, which was also directed by Phillips.
The Joker director also revealed in his commentary in Joker's DVD release that Theroux did not ask to appear in a cameo but its the other way around. He was the one who asked the actor for a special appearance in Joker.
Phillips and Theroux both lived two blocks away from each other in New York. He bumped into The Spy Who Dumped Me actor one day and asked him to do a special appearance in the movie. This means Justin is not desperate for a role in the first Joker and so as in the upcoming sequel.
In addition, Theroux couldn't beg for a role if there is no assurance that there will be a sequel. Joker was intended to be a standalone film. In August 2019, however, Phillips said he would be interested in making a sequel if the film performs well in the box office and if Phoenix would be interested to reprise his role.
Then rumors emerged that the Joker 2 was in development as Phoenix and Phillips, as well as scriptwriter Scott Silver, agreed to do the part two. Phillips, however, denied the rumor. He instead revealed that he had discussed a sequel with Warner Bros. and it remained a possibility, but it was not true that it is already in the works.
