Joker is a highly anticipated film that has garnered a lot of attention for its dark and gritty portrayal of one of Batman’s most iconic villains. The movie takes place in the fictional city of Gotham, but interestingly, the filmmakers chose to shoot the film in real-life locations in and around New York City.
Principal photography for Joker took place from September to December 2018 in various locations in New York City, Jersey City, and Newark. One of the notable filming locations is The Bronx, specifically Arthur’s apartment, which is situated at 1150 Anderson Avenue and West 167th Street. This area provides a realistic and gritty backdrop for the character’s humble beginnings.
Another significant filming location is the area near Twenty Exchange in The Bronx. This location captures the essence of the city and adds to the overall atmosphere of the film. Additionally, scenes were shot at William Street and Exchange Place in Manhattan, further showcasing the urban landscape that the filmmakers wanted to portray.
When it comes to the city of Gotham itself, director Todd Phillips and production designer Mark Friedberg envisioned a version of Gotham that resembled the pre-’80s boom New York or an urban northeastern center. They aimed to create a version of Gotham that was distinct from the iconic New York City we are familiar with. This reimagined Gotham served as the backdrop for the character development of Joker, reflecting the environment that shaped him.
One of the notable locations in the film is Arkham State Hospital, a pivotal setting in the Batman universe. In the film, the words “Arkham State Hospital” were added through CGI to create the iconic mental institution where Joker’s story unfolds. Interior scenes that take place in the hospital were filmed at Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem. The hospital’s distinctive architecture and interiors were used to bring the Arkham State Hospital to life on the big screen.
The filming locations chosen for Joker add depth and authenticity to the story. By shooting in real-life locations in and around New York City, the filmmakers were able to create a gritty and realistic portrayal of Joker’s origin story. The combination of these locations and the creative reimagining of Gotham City provide a visually stunning and immersive experience for audiences.
Where Was The Joker Movie Shooted?
The Joker movie was primarily shot in the metropolitan area of New York City. Filming locations included various neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. In addition, scenes were also shot in nearby cities such as Jersey City and Newark in New Jersey. The production took place from September to December 2018, spanning over several months to capture the desired footage. By choosing these locations, the filmmakers aimed to create an authentic urban setting that reflects the gritty and chaotic nature of the Joker’s story. This choice also allowed for easy access to iconic landmarks and cityscapes that contribute to the overall atmosphere of the film. the movie’s shooting locations in New York City and neighboring areas provided the perfect backdrop for the Joker’s origin story.
Where Was Joker’s Apartment Filmed?
Joker’s apartment in the movie was filmed in two different locations. The exterior shots of the apartment building were filmed at 1150 Anderson Avenue and West 167th Street in The Bronx, New York. This location is situated near Twenty Exchange in Manhattan, specifically at William Street and Exchange Place.
To provide a better understanding, here is a breakdown of the filming locations:
Exterior shots of Joker’s apartment:
– Filmed at 1150 Anderson Avenue and West 167th Street in The Bronx, New York.
– This location is near Twenty Exchange in Manhattan, specifically at William Street and Exchange Place.
It is worth noting that the interior shots of the apartment were likely filmed on a set or a different location altogether. Unfortunately, specific information regarding the interior filming location is not available at this time.
The filmmakers chose a real apartment building in The Bronx for the exterior shots of Joker’s apartment, while the interior scenes were likely filmed elsewhere.
Where Is Gotham City In Joker?
Gotham City, as depicted in the film Joker, is a fictional location within the DC Comics universe. However, in the context of the movie, the director and production designer envisioned Gotham as a representation of a pre-1980s New York City, or more specifically, an urban northeastern center that is distinct from the iconic New York City. This reimagined version of Gotham serves as the backdrop for the narrative and plays a significant role in shaping the character development of the film’s protagonist, Joker.
In terms of visualizing this version of Gotham, the production designer, Mark Friedberg, aimed to create a city that had a hand in molding the character of Joker. The city was designed to reflect the gritty, crime-ridden atmosphere often associated with Gotham City in the comics. It was meant to evoke a sense of urban decay and social unrest, with its architecture and overall aesthetic contributing to a feeling of hopelessness and despair.
To further illustrate the reimagined Gotham City in Joker, here are some key characteristics:
1. Pre-’80s boom New York: The city’s setting draws inspiration from the New York City of the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period known for its economic decline, high crime rates, and social unrest.
2. Urban northeastern center: Gotham City is depicted as a bustling urban center with a distinctly northeastern vibe. This suggests a location similar to cities like New York, Philadelphia, or Boston.
3. Non-iconic New York: The aim was to create a Gotham City that is separate from the iconic New York City that we are familiar with. This means that while it may share some similarities with New York, it is a unique and separate entity within the film’s universe.
The version of Gotham City in Joker is a reimagined urban setting that serves as a breeding ground for the character’s transformation into the iconic Joker. It embodies the dark, gritty, and crime-ridden nature typically associated with the city in the DC Comics lore, while also having its own distinct identity within the film.
What Hospital Was Joker Filmed?
The hospital scenes in the film Joker were filmed at Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem. Metropolitan Hospital is a real-life medical facility located in New York City. It serves as the setting for the interior scenes of Arkham State Hospital in the movie.
To give you a more comprehensive understanding, here are the key details about Metropolitan Hospital:
Location: Metropolitan Hospital is situated in East Harlem, a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City.
Real-Life Hospital: Metropolitan Hospital is an actual hospital providing medical services to patients. It is not a film set or a fictional establishment created solely for the movie Joker.
Interior Filming: The filmmakers chose Metropolitan Hospital as the location for filming the interior scenes of Arkham State Hospital. This means that the hospital’s interior spaces were used to represent the fictional psychiatric institution in the movie.
Exterior Shot: In the teaser trailer of Joker, an aerial shot of Metropolitan Hospital is featured. This shot gives viewers a glimpse of the hospital’s exterior, helping to establish its presence in the film.
Joker utilized Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem as the filming location for the hospital scenes. The hospital’s interior spaces were used to represent Arkham State Hospital, and an aerial shot of Metropolitan Hospital appeared in the teaser trailer.
Conclusion
The filming locations for Joker were primarily centered in New York City, specifically in areas such as The Bronx, Manhattan, Jersey City, and Newark. The production team aimed to create a unique version of Gotham City, drawing inspiration from the pre-’80s boom New York and other urban northeastern centers. This reimagined city served as the backdrop for the transformation of Arthur Fleck into the iconic Joker character.
Various iconic New York locations were used throughout the film, such as The Bronx’s Arthur’s Apartment at 1150 Anderson Avenue and West 167th Street. Additionally, scenes were filmed in Manhattan at William Street and Exchange Place. These locations helped establish the gritty and urban atmosphere that defined Gotham City in the film.
Furthermore, the production team utilized CGI to enhance certain aspects of the film, including adding the words “Arkham State Hospital” to certain scenes. While the interior scenes were likely filmed at Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem, the aerial shot of the hospital in the teaser trailer further showcased the city’s dark and ominous nature.
The filming of Joker successfully brought the reimagined Gotham City to life, incorporating elements of New York City’s rich urban landscape while adding a distinctive twist. The diverse range of locations used throughout the film helped create an immersive and realistic portrayal of the iconic Batman universe.
