Warner Bros. taps Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love, This Is Us) to write and direct a movie focused on Joker (Jared Leto) and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). The studio officially launched their DC Extended Universe last spring with the premiere of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, which introduced moviegoers to a whole host of heroes that are set to return in this year's Justice League, as well as lead their own solo outings. In addition to those films, Warner Bros. has reportedly been developing a number of other projects based on DC Comics characters, such as Batgirl, Nightwing, Gotham City Sirens, and more.

However, with so many projects in various stages of development and certain films being removed from the official DCEU release slate or pushed back - most notable being The Flash solo movie - it was unclear for sometime exactly how the DC-based cinematic universe would take shape. The studio announced a tentative DCEU release slate at Comic-Con International in San Diego this summer. Now, another film has been added to the growing list of in-development titles with Warner Bros. tapping a directing duo to shepherd a movie focusing on two of the most famous and beloved DC Comics villains.

Related: WB Developing a Harley Quinn vs The Joker Spinoff

THR is reporting that the studio is in final negotiations with Crazy, Stupid, Love filmmakers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa to write and direct a movie starring The Joker and Harley Quinn - with Suicide Squad actors Leto and Robbie to reprise their roles as the villains. According to the report, the movie will follow Suicide Squad 2 on the DCEU release slate, but since the sequel to David Ayer's villain team-up has yet to be given a release date - and doesn't have a director attached - it's unclear when this Joker and Harley Quinn movie will actually come about.

Screen Rant previously reported that Warner Bros. was developing a Harley Quinn and Joker spinoff from Suicide Squad, with the tentative title of Harley Quinn vs The Joker. New information from THR indicates it will be a "criminal love story" focused on the titular villains; one source told THR it will be "an insane and twisted love story. When Harry Met Sally on benzedrine." Additionally, THR reports Warner Bros. is fast-tracking Suicide Squad 2 as well as this Joker and Harley Quinn movie, so fans may get to see plenty of Leto's Clown Prince of Crime and Robbie's Maid of Mischief in the coming years.

In addition to Suicide Squad 2, both Robbie and Leto will appear in Gotham City Sirens. Previously, Gotham City Sirens was reported to be directed by Ayer, who reconfirmed his involvement last month, and is expected to include Catwoman and Poison Ivy, two infamous Batman villains who are part of the titular team in the Comics. Leto's involvement was only recently confirmed, in a report about the development of a solo Joker origin movie that won't take place in the DCEU. Instead, Warner Bros. is launching a new effort of live-action DC Comics adaptations that will be separate from their main superhero universe.

Based on news of this Joker and Harley Quinn movie, it seems Warner Bros. is doubling down on popular characters already established within the DCEU movie. The Joker and Harley Quinn film would make four movies featuring the two villains, plus the studio announced Wonder Woman 2 at Comic-Con this summer - with the sequel set to hit theaters in 2019. For those hoping to see other DC Comics characters adapted for the big screen, plenty of standalone features are in the works, and the studio's new venture will pave the way for non-DCEU-related projects as well. In terms of the DCEU's future though, fans may be hoping Warner Bros. clears up some confusion concerning the upcoming slate with official announcements and release dates.

Next: Why The JOKER Origin Movie Can Work For DC

Source: THR

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