Warner Bros. is going to make a Joker prequel, and it already sounds like the most bonkers thing ever

Hold on to your appropriately themed superhero (or villain) hats, DC fans: There’s going to be a Joker origin-story movie. And it already sounds like it’s going to land somewhere at the intersection of bonkers and amazing. Just the idea of this movie is super exciting, but the talent already attached to the upcoming origin story film will really make your head spin.

Todd Phillips — the writer-director behind The Hangover series — will possibly direct the film. He’ll also co-write with 8 Mile writer Scott Silver. (We don’t think this means the Joker will be rapping but, like, what if he did?) Even more exciting-slash-weird: There are rumors Martin Scorsese will produce.

We do have some potentially bad news, though.

If you’re a fan of Jared Leto’s Joker, take some time to mourn. Because the origin story will be set in the 1980s, and star a different actor.

All things considered, part of us is like, “What an eclectic collection of filmmakers to put on a single project.” And part of us is also SUPER into this team. The writing duo is equal parts comedic and dramatic, so stringing them together with a prestigious producer seems like a winning mix.

The interpretations of the Joker ran the gamut over the years, from over-the-top to straight-up sinister. The late Heath Ledger’s amazing, chilling, and Academy Award-winning performance in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is just one more example of many.

The next news about this Joker prequel that we’re looking forward to is casting. And it sounds like whoever gets to step into this well-loved role will have quite the team to back them up.