Buzz
The next chapter of Joaquin Phoenix's 'Joker' has officially embarked.
DC's cinematic landscape is undergoing a period of significant upheaval, with major changes following the appointments of James Gunn and Peter Safran as the heads of DC Studios. While numerous major film projects have been completely abandoned, many others are facing an uncertain future as the duo strives to chart a new course for the DC cinematic universe (DCU).
However, amidst such chaos and disorder, a few blockbuster projects are continuing production according to the original plan. Most prominently among them is Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to Joker (2019). The film commenced filming on 11/12, and the first official images were shared by director Todd Phillips on his personal Instagram account.
What narrative will Joker: Folie à Deux bring to the audience?
As of the current moment, everything related to the content of Joker: Folie à Deux is limited to... the official script cover images that Todd Phillips unveiled half a year ago. However, based on the title, setting, and characters that will appear in this film, we can speculate to some extent on the story that Joker 2 will bring to the audience.
Folie à Deux is a rare mental disorder - a shared psychotic disorder, or more elegantly put, 'madness in pairs.' This condition typically affects two or a group of people, with one person playing the role of the 'source of illness,' having endured significant losses and sorrows in life that have destabilized their psyche. The negative energy of this individual influences the others, making them similarly insane.
With such a definition, decoding the content of Joker: Folie à Deux suddenly becomes somewhat easier. The crime world's jester, without a doubt, will play the role of the 'source of illness.' And the current question is which character will become a victim under the influence of Joker, forming a 'madness in pairs,' just as the movie's title suggests.
When it comes to a duo with the Joker, Harley Quinn is perhaps the name that will immediately come to mind for anyone, even if they're not a hardcore DC fan. Interestingly, this character will be featured in the upcoming blockbuster with an entirely new look and story, unexplored in any previous film or television project.
Therefore, it can be tentatively affirmed that Joker: Folie à Deux will delve deep into the relationship between the crime world's jester and the psychiatrist Harley Quinn, from when they first meet in the Arkham Asylum to being entangled in a peculiar and utterly chaotic love affair in the DC universe.
The cast of Joker: Folie à Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux will welcome back Joaquin Phoenix, who will continue to portray the crime world's jester following the resounding success of the first film. This role also earned Phoenix a prestigious Oscar for Best Actor at the 2020 awards ceremony.
Lady Gaga will embody the iconic Harley Quinn, lover of the infamous Joker. Warner Bros. made this casting choice with the ambition to transform Joker: Folie à Deux into an authentic musical, a feat unprecedented in their previous DC film projects.
Lady Gaga's powerful vocals and extensive musical experience will contribute to realizing this ambitious endeavor. Additionally, the singer has made a significant impact in the film industry, portraying roles like Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci and Ally Maine in A Star is Born, a film in which director Todd Phillips also participated as a producer.
Zezie Beetz is in negotiations with Warner Bros. to reprise her role as Sophie Dumond, the neighbor of Arthur Fleck and the one he secretly admired in the first film. Moreover, Joker: Folie à Deux features talents such as Harry Lawtey, Brendan Gleeson, Jacob Lofland, and Catherine Keener.
The Connection between Joaquin Phoenix's Joker and the DCU
According to Warner Bros.' initial standpoint, Joker remains an independent film outside the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The sequel is no exception. In fact, Joker: Folie à Deux was not initially part of Warner Bros. or DC Studios' plans. The film only got the green light after the unexpected success of Joker (2019), coupled with Joaquin Phoenix's passion for reprising the role of the crime world's jester.
The actor shared: “I can't stop thinking about this role. I've had many conversations with Todd about what we can do in cinema in general, and specifically for Joker. Joker has become my dream role.” According to some reports, Phoenix's paycheck for this comeback is around $20 million, a fivefold increase compared to his involvement in the first film.
As such, Joker: Folie à Deux will solely be connected to Joker (2019) and completely unrelated to the DCU, at least for now. This is likely why the film remains unaffected by the significant changes happening at DC Studios. Furthermore, if it continues to achieve success, there's a possibility that Warner Bros. will establish an independent cinematic universe centered around Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, akin to what they are currently doing with The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.
According to the plan, Joker: Folie à Deux is set to release on 10/4/2024.
Source: ScreenRant, IndieWire
