Although Todd Phillips clearly believes that his brand of comedy wouldn’t fly in this day and age, it’s not like JOKER has been free from controversy either. The upcoming film prompted a response from the family members of those killed during the Aurora, Colorado shooting in 2012 during a screening of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, as they fear that JOKER might influence some dangerous individuals. Both director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix have addressed the controversy with speaking with IGN, with Phoenix saying, “I think that, for most of us, you’re able to tell the difference between right and wrong. And those that aren’t are capable of interpreting anything in the way that they may want to. People misinterpret lyrics from songs. They misinterpret passages from books. So I don’t think it’s the responsibility of a filmmaker to teach the audience morality or the difference between right or wrong. I mean, to me, I think that that’s obvious… I think if you have somebody that has that level of emotional disturbance, they can find fuel anywhere. I just don’t think that you can function that way.” Phillips added, “To me, art can be complicated and oftentimes art is meant to be complicated. If you want uncomplicated art, you might want to take up calligraphy, but filmmaking will always be a complicated art.“

https://geekandgear.com/joker-director-todd-phillips-blames-woke-culture-for-ruining-comedy