Hey kids, it’s Joker Week.
And the hype, she is real.
Joker opens in Irish cinemas this Friday – read Rory Cashin’s official verdict right here – and, as such, you can’t move for green-tinted content.
We’ve previously discussed the idea of Joker winning the most of prestigious cinematic honours, and the Academy Award buzz train (that’s a thing) is only increasing in momentum.
News reaches on Wednesday that the film – and its adventurous leading man – are currently installed as bookmakers’ favourites to take home Oscars next year.
Betway has Joaquin Phoenix at 4/6 to win the Best Actor award, while Joker itself is a 7/2 co-favourite – alongside Martin Scorsese’s forthcoming The Irishman – to take home Best Picture.
As for the Best Actress category, Renee Zellweger is evens for her portrayal of Judy Garland in Judy.
The Best Picture field is quite intriguing, when you weigh it all up.
As it stands, the line-up looks like this:
Joker: 7/2
The Irishman: 7/2
Marriage Story: 4/1
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: 9/2
Jojo Rabbit: 8/1
Just Mercy: 9/1
Now, for this writer’s money, it’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood every day of the week, but the twin power of The Irishman and Joker – both of which feature Robert De Niro, of course – may well prove too strong for Quentin Tarantino to overcome.
Early prediction – Joaquin Phoenix is definitely going to become the second man to win one of those shiny little gold men for playing The Joker.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
