Phillips used Valentine’s Day as an excuse to share three new images from the sequel, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s characters, and hinted about the teaser drop.
(L to R) Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram.
(L to R) Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram.
In this social media age, it’s not unusual for filmmakers to be pressed into (or want to) use their personal channels to promote their work. And Todd Phillips, who is busy in post-production on ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’, the follow-up to his billion-dollar-plus (not to mention Oscar-winning) 2019 take on the classic Batman villain, has been drip-feeding images from the new movie for months now.
A sequel to the 2019 film Joker. Read the Plot
The filmmaker used Valentine’s Day as an excuse to offer new pics of his central pair –– that would be Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker and Lady Gaga as a version of his ride-or-die romantic pairing (and frequent partner in crime) Harley Quinn.
Quite what Phillips’ take on Quinn will be remains to be seen, but since his (and Phoenix’s) version of the Joker origin story stands in stark contrast to Batman lore, we’re anticipating tweaks.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram.
Not much is officially known about the new movie, but with Phillips co-writing once again alongside Scott Silver, ‘Folie à Deux’ promises more bad behavior from Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck, joined now by Gaga’s Quinn.
We’ll pick up the story Phoenix’s Fleck, the wannabe comedian struggling with mental health issues who, besieged by disappointment and fueled by rage, slowly segues into a psychopathic killer and agent of chaos.
Fleck ended up in Arkham Asylum –– the infamous facility for psychotic criminals from the ‘Batman’ comic book universe, and the new movie appears to take place to some degree there.
Arkham is where the Joker (usually, at least) meets one Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, who eventually becomes obsessed with him –– and he, in turn, slowly drives her insane until she becomes Harley Quinn, the character who has long been part of comics canon and most recently on the big screen by Margot Robbie in the ‘Suicide Squad’ movies and her own spin-off.
There will be some carry over from the first movie –– Zazie Beetz is back as Sophie Dumond, the neighbor with whom Arthur had a relationship (at least until, spoiler alert, it was revealed as all in his head).
The new cast also includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Bill Smitrovich and Jacob Lofland are all in the ensemble.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram.
One of the biggest elements of speculation for the new film has been the idea it is a musical. But according to cinematographer Lawrence Sher, it might not be the song-filled experience we’ve all been expecting.
Here’s what Sher said on a recent Zoom call:
“It’s not a musical per se, it just has music in it, that’s all. Music’s a part of the movie and the characters, but I don’t know if it’s a musical.”
Of course, he could always be trying to throw us all off the scent. More of a clue will come in the teasers and trailers. And talking of…
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker and Lady Gaga as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram Account.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker and Lady Gaga as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram Account.
Phillips responded to a comment on his Insta post asking about when we might see the trailer.
Here’s what he said:
“Been getting this question a lot. The movie comes out in October. So our first teaser won’t be out until mid-April.”
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ will land in theaters on October 4th.
Lady Gaga in Director Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo courtesy of Todd Phillips’ Instagram account.
Lady Gaga in Director Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo courtesy of Todd Phillips’ Instagram account.
