“Let’s put a smile on that face.” – Joker.

The prequel to Batman, “Joker,” is coming out soon.

Set in 1981, the story follows the life of Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who faces violence while roaming Gotham City dressed as a clown. Fleck descends into madness as he slowly transforms into the criminal mastermind known as The Joker, played by Joaquin Phoenix.

“It looks really good. I’m excited to explore his origin story, because we have never gotten a true origin for this character,” junior Seth Chaplin said. 

Set to Nat King Cole’s “Smile,” the trailer shows Phoenix working as a failed sign-holding clown on the streets. 

“The music in it is going to be really good. I think it’s going to have a diverse group of songs to contrast the Joker’s changing personality,” senior Gracie Reamer said. 

As he is famous for doing, Phoenix, like Ledger, threw himself into the role, losing over 50 pounds in the process. Phoenix’s commitment to “inhabiting” the role appears to have paid off, with 46 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes gives “Joker” an 85% on the Tomatometer.

“It turns out that affects your psychology. You start to go mad,” Phoenix told The Hollywood Reporter at the Venice Film Festival, regarding his style of method acting.

When the movie was announced, some DC fans were concerned that the film would not live up to the hype. 

“When I first heard about it I did not think it would be good at all. I didn’t think the Joker needed an origin story when that is supposed to be the appeal of him,” senior Josh Bentley said. 

“Joker” is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, becoming the first comic book movie to do so, then will play at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. “Joker” officially hits theaters on October 4.