Joker: Folie a Deux is only weeks away, set to release on October 4, with Joaquin Phoenix returning as the Joker and Lady Gaga starring as Harley Quinn. The sequel is expected to be a “jukebox musical” featuring up to 15 songs. However, DC studio head James Gunn has confirmed that the film won’t be part of the DC Universe but will carry the Elseworlds label.
Following the intense 2019 original, the sequel will once again be directed by The Hangover filmmaker Todd Phillips and co-written by Phillips and Scott Silver. If you’re eager to see what happens next with the Joker: Folie a Deux, here are all the details we know about Joaquin Phoenix returning as the Joker in a musical-style sequel, set in 1980s Gotham City.
What Will Joker: Folie À Deux Be About, and Is the Movie Really a Musical?
Joker: Folie à Deux picks up where the first movie left off, with Arthur Fleck locked up in Arkham State Hospital after causing chaos in Gotham City. He escaped by possibly killing his therapist, so the sequel will likely follow him on the run as he fully transforms into the Joker.
Advertisement The official plot description says:
Arthur is in Arkham, waiting for his trial as the Joker. While dealing with his split personality, he finds love and discovers the music within him.
As for whether the movie is a musical, reports suggest it is. The Hollywood Reporter first shared that Joker 2 will be a musical, and insiders later confirmed to Variety that it will feature about 15 well-known songs. Making it mostly a “jukebox musical.” There’s also a chance for an original song or two. Though no details about the music’s production are available yet.
The full Joker: Folie À Deux trailer, released ahead of the sequel’s debut at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, offers a closer look at the movie’s musical elements, which received positive early reviews. It also highlights the relationship between Joker and Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn. Watch it below:
Why is Joker 2 called Folie a Deux?
According to the Collins Dictionary, Folie à Deux is a psychiatric term that means “a mental illness shared by two closely connected people who experience similar delusions.”
The phrase translates to “double insanity” in French and was first used in the 19th century. Today, people refer to it as Shared Psychotic Disorder (SPD), which often involves two or more individuals. Usually, one person is in control, while the other follows their influence.
When Will Joker: Folie À Deux Be Released?
Joker: Folie à Deux will hit cinemas on October 4, exactly five years after the first movie.
The film has already received an R rating from the MPA in the U.S. for its “strong violence, language, some sexuality, and brief nudity,” as reported by Deadline. The first Joker movie had the same R rating, which equals a 15 rating in the UK.
There’s a rumor going around that Joker: Folie à Deux will be 140 minutes long. This means the movie will run for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Who Is in Joker: Folie À Deux and Who Won’t Be Appearing in the Movie?
Joaquin Phoenix will once again play Arthur Fleck in Joker 2. Zazie Beetz returns as Sophie Dumond, Arthur’s neighbor. New Joker movie cast members include Steve Coogan, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Harry Lawtey, and Jacob Lofland.
Lady Gaga will play Harley Quinn, her first film role since House of Gucci in 2021. Justin Theroux, who had a brief cameo in the first film, might come back. As he hinted with a photo on Instagram with Todd Phillips and Lady Gaga. It’s unlikely De Niro’s character, Murray Franklin, will return, but Douglas Hodge might be back as Alfred Pennyworth.
Joker 2 Batman Rumors: Will Batman Be in the Movie?
Even though many fans want to see Batman in Joker 2, it’s not likely to happen. For Batman to show up, the movie would need to jump ahead by at least 10 years, maybe more. It seems like Joker 2 will focus on how Arthur Fleck becomes the Joker. Saving the full transformation for a possible Joker 3.
As for a future Batman appearance, it’s unlikely that Robert Pattinson will be part of these movies. He mentioned to Yahoo that the Joker films are “kind of a different world.”
So, it’s more likely that the Joker series will introduce its own version of Bruce Wayne and Batman.
What Suicide Squad’s Star Margot Robbie Thinks of Lady Gaga Playing Harley Quinn?
Margot Robbie is glad that Lady Gaga is taking on the role of the iconic character.
“It makes me so happy because from the start, I wanted actors to pass Harley Quinn, like they do with Batman or Macbeth. Everyone gets their chance to play them.”
Robbie said
“It’s an honor to have helped make Harley a character strong enough for others to play. I’m sure Lady Gaga will do something amazing with it.”
Robbie also shared
Conclusion
In Joker: Folie à Deux, fans can expect an exciting mix of drama, music, and chaos as Arthur Fleck’s story continues. With its unique approach and amazing cast, this sequel promises to deliver a thrilling experience for all.
If you want to watch more movies and shows like Joker: Folie à Deux, you can check out our guides on, All Joker Movies In Order, Batman: Caped Crusader, Invincible Season 2, Hazbin Hotel and more.