At 3:00 a.m. EST an article hit the internet stating Warner Bros. is pursuing Leonardo DiCaprio to play the Joker in an origin film. This headline will surely get tons of traffic, DC Comics fans will run wild through the Labor Day weekend, and The Hollywood Reporter will laugh all the way to the bank.
The problem is the journalistic integrity in the pop culture world is horrible. Would Warner Bros. love for DiCaprio to play the Joker? Sure. Is it a reality? No. The Hollywood Reporter even states – the chances of landing DiCaprio could be slim to none. The Joker rumor is all based on an unnamed source. Sure, someone at Warner Bros. said, ‘We should get Leo to play the Joker.’ Every person in comic books makes their ‘fan casting,’ but wishing for something doesn’t make it true.
The Hollywood Reporter continues to say – there’s no offer for DiCaprio, and sources say Scorsese’s deal to produce isn’t even done yet. The publication even offers that Jared Leto is very upset about this idea as well. Their source for that statement – insiders.
According to my sources, The Washington Post is laughing at us right now. Pop Culture journalists chasing after every click because of publisher’s mandate makes it harder for honest reporters and editors trying to earn the trust of the public and deliver quality news.
The Hollywood Reporter even continues the Ben Affleck / Batman saga by stating – Matt Reeves is developing a Batman stand alone that, according to sources, will not star Ben Affleck
There are three unnamed sources and four no comments in one article. The Hollywood Reporter needs to hold itself to a higher standard and report the news instead of jumping on the DC Comics / Warner Bros. rumor bandwagon. If the story is right, get someone from Warner Bros. who works in the DC Extended Universe department to go on record for your article.
All we ask, is you try harder.
Do you trust pop culture journalist? Comment below.
