'People's Joker', a queer film set in the Batman universe, pulled from TIFF for 'rights issues'

The director of "The People's Joker," a queer coming-of-age film set in in Batman universe, has pulled the film from the Toronto International Film Festival due to alleged "rights issues".

Directed by Los Angeles-based director Vera Drew, the multimedia film follows an aspiring clown (played by Drew) grappling with her gender identity while dreaming of being chosen for a TV skit from a cast of Jokers and Harlequins.

An official TIFF synopsis reads: "With crime comedy set in Gotham City, the series is the only government-sanctioned space for funny people, but only those who will toe the party line. Disillusioned by a botched audition, Vera teams up with a bird-like slacker to found her own alternative comedy troupe, attracting no only a gallery of budding comic book thugs, but also the wrath of a caped fascist crusader."

Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns DC Comics and holds the rights to the Batman universe, has yet to comment on the film, although it appears the studio has issued a cease and desist agreement to block the remaining three screenings. of the film, which have now been cancelled.

Variety contacted Warner Bros. Discovery for clarification and comments.

Drew hinted at potential discord surrounding the film on Tuesday, posting a cryptic tweet: "I have no idea how today is going and my team want me to say nothing of course so i'll keep it vague… but whatever happens in the next few hours i want you to know… if you've waited and want to watch our movie, you are going to arrive soon. Stay tuned and stay with me. Need your help."

The film, which is being sold by UTA, was screened as part of the popular Midnight Madness selection of the festival, and screened on Tuesday evening in front of delighted fans.

Twitter user @JuiceSimpsons wrote: "Can't even begin to describe what looked like #ThePeoplesJoker. @VeraDrew22 has created something so amazing, so funny, so touching, so mind-blowing, so unbelievable… I'm absolutely buzzing. Thank you @PeterKapow and everyone who helped bring this to life!"

Another fan of the movie, @BenSandergaard, wrote: "THE PEOPLE'S JOKER is the best movie ever. TIFF this year and you'll never see it! A parody journey into the world of DC with a trans lens. This will be my favorite screening of the festival. The film will live on in the hearts of those in the audience!"

The Canadian Press reported Wednesday that during a question-and-answer session after the screening, Drew said she deleted scenes from the 2019 film "Joker" that were previously included.

In a statement on the title's official TIFF page, the festival shared that the "filmmaker has retired this film due to rights issues. We apologize for any inconvenience."

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