VIDEO : 'Joker' Takes Inspiration From 'The Dark Knight'

Comicbook.com reports the first official photo of Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker has been shared...

...and it seems to visually resemble 'The Dark Knight.'

This doesn't mean it's a prequel to the film, however.

Phoenix is older than Heath Ledger, for one. But it's a nice sentiment.

'Joker' will hit theaters next October.