After the filming officially wrapped on April 5, 2023, director Todd Phillips recently released a new look of actor Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2, otherwise known as Joker: Folie à Deux.
The much anticipated upcoming American musical thriller film directed by Todd Phillips, which is speculated to be a continuation of the tale of the Clown Prince of Crime, will serve as the sequel to the first film, The Joker, which was released in 2019. The film is based on DC Comics characters, and it stars Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his role as The Joker, and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
It has been four years since the first film premiered and grossed over $1 billion, making it the first R-rated film to do so and becoming the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2019 during its theatrical run. Moreover, the film also received numerous accolades, including the Best Actor (Phoenix) and Best Original Score awards at the 92nd Academy Awards, among others.
After having such a great run at the theaters, the fans of this character are left with high expectations for the sequel, as they are curious to know what more the director has in store for the story to unfold within a new direction as this time around the new sequel will be something of a musical.
To get some insight into the story, a few hours ago, for the first film’s fourth-year anniversary, the fans were treated to a brand new first look at the sequel by director Todd Phillips as he shared a photo that features actor Joaquin Phoenix in his well-known Arthur Fleck attire that has been making waves all over the internet again. In the picture, Phoenix is surrounded by umbrellas as he stands still, drowning himself in the rain with his eyes closed, feeling the raindrops falling on his face.
Take a look at the official post on Todd Phillips’s official Instagram handle, captioned, “Oct. 4 Thanks for all the messages. Four years ago we had quite a ride. Lots of great memories. More to come.”
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This isn’t the first time the director has posted new images of the sequel, as previously he shared a close-up shot of Joaquin Phoenix in his Joker face paint and attire along with Lady Gaga as Dr. Harleen Quinzel or Harley Quinn, who stole the spotlight! Her character is well known among DC fans and has been seen in many iterations before, but for this movie, her role has been described as that of a psychiatrist who falls in love with Arthur. Take a look at the official still, captioned, “That’s a wrap. Thanks to these two (+ the entire cast) and the BEST crew that the film industry has to offer. From top to bottom. Gonna crawl into a cave now (edit room) and put it all together.”
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Earlier this year, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, the well-circulated image, which featured both Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, was released, and without any delay, it sparked major interest among the fans as the image was quite intense making it a certain treat as the captivating image showcased the dynamic duo as an electrifying combination, leaving enthusiasts eagerly anticipating what this intense collaboration could mean for the future of these iconic characters. The image not only captured the essence of both Phoenix’s mesmerizing portrayal and Gaga’s undeniable charisma but also ignited discussions about the potential storyline and chemistry between the two stars on screen.
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Joker: Folie à Deux: What else has been confirmed about the sequel?
Even after releasing many images over the months since the production began, details about the plot of the sequel have been kept under wraps in order to avoid early spoilers! We are certain that the story will be unique just like the first film, as Phillips has previously confirmed that The Batman (2022) will not be set in the same continuity as The Joker, which makes this franchise separate from other DC projects. By February 2023, DC Studios CEO James Gunn also confirmed that Folie à Deux would be a DC Elseworlds project, taking place outside the main cinematic DC Universe (DCU).
As stated above, the main cast includes Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker, a mentally ill, impoverished party clown and stand-up comedian disregarded by society whose history of abuse caused him to become a nihilistic criminal with a clown-inspired persona; Lady Gaga as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harvey Quinn, a psychiatrist who falls in love with Arthur; and Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond, a single mother and Arthur’s former neighbor.
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Additionally, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey have been cast in undisclosed roles. Furthermore, back in May 2023, the character of Harvey Dent was also set to appear in the film, but details about this haven’t been disclosed. The film is directed by Todd Phillips, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. It is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, Bron Creative, and Joint Effort. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, New York, and Cedar Grove, New Jersey, from December 2022 to April 2023.
The film will feature musical elements, and Hildur Guðnadóttir has composed the musical score for the film, returning from the first film. At last, Joker: Folie à Deux is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 4, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
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