Joaquin Phoenix as Clown Prince of Crime

The upcoming Joker film from director Todd Philips is already drawing much speculation and uncertainty over what sort of interpretation of the iconic villain will end up on screen.

Now Philips has unveiled test footage of star Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, the man who will be the Joker, before we see him in his Joker garb later in the clip.

The character bears a much more clown-like appearance than any of his previous live-action incarnations, but it remains to be seen if this will be his only look in the film.

The story of Joker isn’t entirely clear, but we do know that the film will be set in the 1980s and follows Fleck as a failed stand-up comedian before he turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City.

The film will also feature Oscar-winner Robert De Niro as a talk show host, Deadpool 2 star Zazie Beetz as a single mother and Joker love interest Sophie Dumond, Brett Cullen as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne, and Frances Conroy as Arthur’s mother, Penny Fleck.

Rihanna named ambassador of Barbados

Rihanna has been handed the top title of ‘Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’ by her native Barbados government officials. The singer and entrepreneur was given the role to promote education, tourism and investment for her home country.

The 30-year-old said she “couldn’t be more proud” to be handed the prestigious title. Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, grew up in Barbados.

“Every Barbadian is going to have to play their role in this current effort, and I’m ready and excited to take on the responsibility,” she said. “I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mottley and her team to re-imagine Barbados.”

As well as her multi-platinum musical talents, Rihanna was hailed for her “significant creative acumen and shrewdness in business” by the Caribbean island’s PM Mia Amor Mottley.

“Rihanna has a deep love for this country and this is reflected in her philanthropy, especially in the areas of health and education,” Ms Mottley.

Rihanna has scored 14 number-one singles in the US charts, more than any artist except The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Mariah Carey. Alongside her musical career, Rihanna has amassed an estimated net worth of $210m (£160m), has a number of business ventures, notably in the world of fashion and cosmetics.

Last year, the Barbados government renamed the street Rihanna grew up on “Rihanna Drive.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 29th, 2018