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Joker: Folie à Deux
The Anticipated Sequel to Joker (2019)
Joker: Folie à Deux is an upcoming American musical psychological thriller directed by Todd Phillips and co-written with Scott Silver. This film serves as a sequel to the critically acclaimed Joker (2019) and is loosely based on DC Comics characters. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, also known as the Joker, with Lady Gaga joining the cast as his love interest, Harley Quinn. Zazie Beetz returns from the first film, while Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener also join the cast. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios, the film marks a significant expansion of the original’s universe.
Background and Development
Joker was initially conceived as a standalone film, despite Warner Bros.’ intentions to use it as the launching point for a DC Black film series. The film’s success, grossing over $1 billion, led to discussions of a sequel. Director Todd Phillips had initially stated that Joker was not designed to have a follow-up, but interest from Phoenix and the film’s impact made a sequel plausible. The idea for Joker: Folie à Deux began taking shape around June 2022, with Gaga and Beetz joining the cast later that year. Principal photography occurred from December 2022 to April 2023, across locations including Los Angeles, New York City, and Belleville, New Jersey.
Premise
Set two years after the events of the first film, Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck, now a patient at Arkham State Hospital, who falls in love with Lee, a music therapist. Their shared delusions and musical madness lead Arthur’s followers to rally for his liberation. The film delves deeper into Arthur’s psyche, though Phillips assures that the character will not transform into the traditional “Clown Prince of Crime” seen in the comics. Instead, Arthur’s Joker persona remains an involuntary symbol of the love he craved.
Cast
Joaquin Phoenix
returns as Arthur Fleck/The Joker, portraying a mentally ill, nihilistic criminal with a clown-inspired persona.
Lady Gaga
plays Harleen “Lee” Quinzel/Harley Quinn, a music therapist whose fascination with Arthur evolves into a dangerous romantic obsession. Phillips describes this Harley Quinn as more grounded and manipulative, with less emphasis on her classic comic book traits.
Catherine Keener
takes on the role of Maryanne Stewart, Arthur’s defense lawyer.
Zazie Beetz
reprises her role as Sophie Dumond, Arthur’s former neighbor whom he imagined having a romantic relationship with.
Harry Lawtey
appears as Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s District Attorney.
Steve Coogan
plays Paddy Meyers, a TV personality interviewing Arthur.
Leigh Gill and Sharon Washington
return as Gary and Arthur’s social worker, respectively. New additions include Brendan Gleeson, Jacob Lofland, and Ken Leung
in undisclosed roles.
Production and Filming
The sequel’s development was influenced by Phoenix’s and Phillips’s interest in a musical format, despite their reservations about the genre. The film will feature musical numbers that integrate into the story rather than traditional musical sequences. Lady Gaga’s involvement required a departure from her usual singing style to fit her character’s more raw, unstable nature. Filming took place at notable locations, including the abandoned Essex County Isolation Hospital in New Jersey for Arkham State Hospital scenes and the iconic “Joker Stairs” in the Bronx.
Post-production and Music
Hildur Guðnadóttir, who composed the score for the first film, returns to provide music for Joker: Folie à Deux. The film is expected to feature at least 15 musical numbers, predominantly covers of existing songs, with potential original tracks. The music will blend with Guðnadóttir’s score to enhance the film’s emotional and narrative depth.
Marketing and Release
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024, competing for the Golden Lion. The film will be released in theaters overseas on October 2, 2024, and in the United States on October 4, 2024. Warner Bros. has been actively promoting the film, including a teaser trailer released on April 10, 2024, which showcased the film’s dark and gritty musical elements. The trailer garnered significant attention, becoming Warner Bros.’ biggest trailer premiere at the time.
Conclusion
Joker: Folie à Deux promises to build on the psychological intensity of its predecessor while introducing a musical element that adds a unique dimension to the story. With a star-studded cast, innovative narrative techniques, and a blend of dark themes with musical elements, the film is highly anticipated by both fans and critics alike.
