Wikinews attends US debut of film The People's Joker

July 25, 2023

On July 15, Wikinews attended the US general debut, and second general showing, of ' — an unauthorized film adaptation of the comic book villain for what ' described as a coming-of-age comedy — in Los Angeles', part of the LGBT film festival , with filmmakers and Bri LeRose present.

This was director Drew's first feature film, but she previously edited and otherwise been employed on a variety of television productions.

Drew described The People's Joker as "autobiographical" for her, as the main character, whom she played, aspires to break into comedy and experiences. She undergoes a, like Drew, becoming known as Joker the Harlequin, an comic and villain.

Cowriters Drew and LeRose took to the stage to answer questions from a moderator and the audience. Of , both screenwriters expressed their onetime affection for the program, yet criticized it, with Drew calling it "part of the ". On working with actor and puppeteer, Drew called him a "" who offered advice on this production.

The remaining cast declined to appear on stage in solidarity with an.

Drew made final edits to The People's Joker minutes before boarding a plane for its debut at the 2022 (TIFF). After that showing, she received a letter from, which did not make demands, but said "copyright law prohibits appropriating the  character and universe as the vehicle for" her autobiographical purposes. The film had several subsequent private screenings.

Drew said her team was planning a distribution scheme for The People's Joker.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LeRose commissioned Drew for US$12 to re-cut the film  into a comedy. The duo eventually collaborated on a version including all prior portrayals of on film. This led to a script telling a fictionalized version of Drew's life, which became The People's Joker.

Outfest ran from July 13 to Sunday.