Warner Bros and DC Films' Joker, on the origin of the iconic fictional villain, will be released on October 4, 2019. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, the film is directed by Todd Philips.

The release date and title were revealed just as this year's edition of Comic-Con got underway in San Diego.

Joker's budget, in the $55 million range, is said to be significantly lower than the tentpoles that dominate the form. With the production set to begin in September, Emma Tillinger Koskoff has been selected as the film's producer.

"The film is an exploration of a man disregarded by society, that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale," said Warner Bros.

Joker becomes the third title slated for October 4, 2019, joining Fox's thriller The Woman in the Window and Paramount's science-fiction Gemini Man.