Joker: Folie à Deux is an upcoming American musical thriller film, with a release date of October 4, 2024. We’re here to give you all the info out there about the newest installment in the Joker world! Directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver, the film is a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2019 movie “Joker”. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his role as the infamous Batman villain, the Joker, a.k.a Arthur Fleck. The role notably won Phoenix the Academy Award for Best Actor. The musical sequel also introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, a doctor at Arkham Asylum with whom the Joker enters into a romantic relationship.
The title of the Joker sequel, Folie à Deux, refers to a French term meaning an identical or similar mental disorder affecting two or more individuals, typically members of a close family. This concept hints at the intertwined fates of the Joker and Harley Quinn in the narrative.
The film is noted for its unique visual inspiration, drawing from Francis Ford Coppola’s 1981 musical, One from the Heart. Cinematographer Lawrence Sher has cited this film as a source of visual inspiration, aiming to create a unique aesthetic for Joker: Folie à Deux.
Principal photography for the film began on December 10, 2022. Filming locations included Los Angeles, New York, and the abandoned Essex County Isolation Hospital in New Jersey, which served as Arkham State Hospital in the film. The production wrapped up on April 5, 2023. Notably, the film is shot partially with IMAX-certified digital cameras, suggesting a visually stunning experience.
The film will feature musical elements, with Hildur Guðnadóttir returning to compose the musical score, following her work on the first movie for which she was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Score. While the film is currently still in post-production, an animated teaser set to Irving Berlin’s Cheek to Cheek hinted at these musical components, and a behind-the-scenes video of Gaga and Phoenix performing a musical dance number on the iconic Joker staircase confirmed the musical nature of the upcoming movie.
Lady Gaga’s role as Harley Quinn is particularly significant. She is reportedly being billed as a co-lead for Joker 2, with the movie actually being told through her perspective rather than through the Joker like 2019’s Joker. This shift in narrative focus suggests a fresh take on the Joker’s story, as seen through the eyes of his chaotic yet charismatic accomplice.
Other notable cast members include actress Zazie Beetz, reprising her role as Sophie Dumond, Brendan Gleeson in an undisclosed role, Catherine Keener, Barry Keoghan, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey, each contributing to the diverse and talented ensemble.
The film’s plot details are mostly under wraps, but it is speculated that the Joker will escape and incite new chaos in Gotham City. The setting of the sequel may present Gotham City in a new light, possibly shifting from the economically depressed New York of the 1970s to a more neglected, yet operatic setting, showcasing its architectural ghosts.
The trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux has already garnered attention, receiving a nomination for Best Graphics in a TV Spot (for a Feature Film) at the 2023 Golden Trailer Awards.
In summary, Joker: Folie à Deux promises to be a visually striking and musically rich sequel to its predecessor, offering a new perspective on the infamous characters of the Joker and Harley Quinn, and exploring the depths of their complex relationship in the backdrop of a chaotic Gotham City.