What in the Joaquin Is Going on With the 'Joker 2' Star, and Why He Should've Done 'SNL'

It’s another Thursday in Hollywood, and the grind continues for most of us.

I’m back on my feet following a 48-hour bug and a big scoop about the director of Sony’s Clue movie that some online trolls felt wasn’t big enough since it didn’t concern Marvel, DC, or Star Wars. Sadly, there is indeed interesting news that falls outside the Holy Trilogy of Franchises.

In recent nights, I’ve watched the first two episodes of FX’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story — both from executive producer Ryan Murphy, mind you — and both made for strong television, though Monsters is a bit more riveting than ASS (lol) thus far because the performances are simply better — especially Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Mendendez — plus, as a New England Patriots fan, I may be overly familiar with the Aaron Hernandez case.

I didn’t receive screeners for either show — Netflix is usually pretty good about sending me its series, but I’d understand if the streamer was simply keeping that show close to its vest.

In other journalism-related news, ESPN’s beloved yet controversial (sound familiar?) NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski retired from the network and journalism altogether by taking a GM gig at his alma mater St. Bonaventure. I’ve broken just as many scoops as Woj but the only phone calls I get from my alma mater, NYU, are for money that I don’t have.

Woj’s boss, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, said in a statement that Woj’s “work ethic is second to none. He is extraordinarily talented and fearless. He has led the industry at ESPN, and his dedication to the craft and to fans is legendary.”

Remind you of anyone you know? I can only hope that some random person on the Internet says something so nice about me when I retire — haha, good one, Jeff! — though rest assured, someone will chime in right under that with a comment that says, “He should’ve just put the fries in the bag.”

There’s been a lot of talk regarding Pitaro and where he may or may not fit into Robert Iger’s succession plan at Disney, but at the end of the day, I don’t see him getting the top spot. Maybe one day, given the role that sports plays in our society. But not now…

Anyway, in today’s newsletter, you’ll read about Joaquin Phoenix and why I think he should’ve promoted Joker: Folie à Deux by hosting Saturday Night Live. Plus, I present the curious case of Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson and… Robert Pattinson.

There are also stories about new historical films from directors James Cameron and Baz Luhrmann, the Season 7 cast of Black Mirror, a new Netflix project from the co-creator of Search Party, casting on the Sublime movie, and a new director rumored to be joining HBO’s Lanterns series in addition to my review of David Mackenzie’s thriller Relay starring Riz Ahmed.

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