You’ve got to hand it to Joker director Todd Phillips. The man proved himself to be an incurable romantic today by celebrating Valentine’s Day on Instagram with a first-look image of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in character in the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux. Check it out:
As befits the romantic day, in the Joker sequel, Lady Gaga plays Dr. Harleen Quinzel, who is better known as Harley Quinn, who, as we all know, is the Joker’s one true (tortured) love. Gaga’s participation in the sequel has sent anticipation levels skyrocketing, with many believing it might be an even bigger hit than the wildly successful original. Joker: Folie à Deux is not the great Gaga’s first time working with Phillips, with him having produced A Star is Born. The film also reunites her with that film’s Bradley Cooper, who produces the Joker sequel alongside Phillips.
In the sequel, Joaquin Phoenix returns to his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck, the wannabe stand-up comedian whose murder of talk show host Murray Franklin has landed him in Arkham Asylum, where Quinzel plays his psychiatrist/ future lover. The film, which is set to include musical sequences, also sees the return of Zazie Beetz as the former object of Arthur’s affection, Sophie Dumond, with Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland and Harry Lawtey.
As with Matt Reeves’ The Batman, the Joker sequel is set to take place outside the new DC continuity, with it part of DC Elseworlds. The film is set for an October 4th, 2024 release, which should put it right in the Oscar corridor next year. Appropriate given that the original film, in addition to grossing about a Billion dollars worldwide, also won tons of awards. Pretty ridiculous to think now that when the film played TIFF, (some) critics rallied against what they considered a dangerous movie. Those same critics will likely rave when they see this ambitious sequel.
What do you think of the first look image from Joker: Folie à Deux? Let us know in the comments!