Filmmaker Vera Drew has pulled the film The People’s Joker from its screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Also starring Drew in the lead role, the film follows a clown struggling with her gender identity with big dreams of joining a TV show featuring Jokers and Harlequins. It is a satirical take on Joker and includes references to characters and other elements from DC’s Batman universe.

The official synopsis for The People’s Joker reads:

After a single screening, the film has been officially removed from the lineup for TIFF. A statement posted to the official website for the festival has stated that Drew “has withdrawn this film due to rights issues.” A subsequent statement to Deadline from TIFF notes that they have no further comment at this time beyond what is written on the website.

“With comedy criminalized in Gotham City, the show is the only government-sanctioned space for funny people, but only those who will toe the party line. Disillusioned by a botched audition, Vera partners with a birdlike slacker to found their own alternative comedy troupe, attracting not only a rogues’ gallery of would-be comics, but also the ire of a fascistic caped crusader.”

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On Twitter, Drew also posted a message alluding to The People’s Joker getting pulled. The filmmaker says that she can’t get too specific on the details of what happened at this time but made a promise to those waiting to see the film that they will get a chance to do so soon enough.

The tweet reads, “I have no clue how today goes and my team wants me to say nothing of course so I’ll stay vague…but whatever happens in the next few hours, I want you to know…if you’ve been waiting and aching to watch our movie, ur going to get to soon. Stay tuned and stay with me. Need ur help.”

The People’s Joker Has It All, Vera Drew Says

     TIFF

“This film has it all… a deep faked Jared Leto as my sh*tty comedian ex boyfriend, a song by one of the greatest Emo bands of all time, Finch, Tim Heidecker portraying someone who is definitely not based on Alex Jones, segments by Vic Berger, DataErase, and Everything is Terrible, and of course the world’s first portrayal of the Joker by a trans woman,” Drew said of the project on its GoFundMe page. “I can say with no hesitation (The People’s Joker) is going to be a groundbreaking film.”

Addressing possible copyright issues that could come about, Drew added, “Copyright and trademark infringement is, but look…I ain’t tryin’ to fool anybody. This is not officially under the DC or WB umbrella (yet? call me, guys…this thing will only help your companies) and I am making no profits from this. All funds raised are going right into the project and any leftover donations will be donated to bail funds for LGBTQ+ people.”

It’s not yet clear if and when The People’s Joker will have a wide release. You can watch a teaser trailer for the movie below.