The Joker is one of the most famous villains in superhero history, a madman that comic book fans love to hate. Known for his iconic red grin and sarcastic humor, the DC character has been brought to life by legendary actors like Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson, and Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin Phoenix, the new Joker, won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his gripping portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and struggling comedian who spirals into a life of violence and madness. The New Joker Movie revolves around him.
As the DC movie universe moves in a new direction, the new Joker movie, Joker: Folie à Deux stands out as a thrilling exception. Joker 2 is hitting cinemas this October, after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in early September. The 2019 Joker was unlike any other DC movie, offering a fresh perspective on the iconic Batman villain. Despite lacking the usual superhero action, the film grossed over $1 billion globally and won two Oscars—Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Score along with 11 nominations, including Best Picture.
So, what can audiences expect from Joker: Folie à Deux? Here’s everything we know so far about the highly anticipated the new Joker movie.
What is Joker 2024 Release Date?
As Joker 2 prepares to debut on October 4, 2024, it will mark five years since the first movie’s release. Warner Bros. is eyeing the awards season again, just like with the original, which was a huge contender. The timing shows the studio’s confidence in the sequel, hinting that it could be another major winner at the 2024/2025 awards ceremonies.
What is the Plot of Joker 2?
The official synopsis for Joker: Folie à Deux says:
Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck as he waits for trial at Arkham. As he battles with his dual identity, Arthur discovers true love and the music that has always been inside him.
The teaser trailer shows Arthur Fleck meeting Harleen Quinzel, a fellow patient at Arkham Asylum, during a musical therapy class. They quickly fall in love and later seem to break out and cause chaos in Gotham City. The second trailer reveals that Arthur will also face trial for his past crimes. The film’s title, which means “shared madness by two,” suggests a focus on their romance and how it shapes their future partnership. The movie might explore their relationship deeply, possibly even featuring a song like “Bad Romance” for the couple.
What is New Joker Movie Cast?
Joaquin Phoenix is back to play Joker, in Joker: Folie à Deux. In 2020, he became only the second actor to win an Oscar for playing the Joker, after Heath Ledger won posthumously for The Dark Knight.
Lady Gaga, an Academy Award and Grammy Award winner, will play Harley Quinn. Originally from Batman: The Animated Series, Harley was a psychiatrist who falls for the Joker. In the sequel, she will be an inmate at Arkham Asylum, already mad before meeting the Joker. Gaga has played a devious character before, as Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci. Her role as Harley Quinn seems like a perfect fit.
A talented cast will join Phoenix and Gaga in the musical sequel. Zazie Beetz returns as Sophie, Arthur’s neighbor from the first film. Sharon Washington and Leigh Gill will reprise their roles as Arthur’s social worker and coworker, Gary. Brendan Gleeson, an Academy Award nominee, will play a prison guard at Arkham Asylum. Catherine Keener, also an Academy Award nominee, has a key role in the film. New cast members include Harry Lawtey, Jacob Lofland, Steve Coogan, and Ken Leung.
Is a Trailer Available for New Joker movie?
Yes, Warner Bros released the first official trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux on April 9, 2024, at CinemaCon 2024. Set to a cover of “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” the trailer shows Arthur Fleck in a music therapy class at Arkham Asylum, where he meets Harleen Quinzel. It features dreamlike musical sequences and scenes of the couple causing chaos in Gotham City.
Warner Bros released the second trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux on July 23, right after announcing the movie’s premiere at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. This trailer uses different songs from the first one, starting with a slowed-down version of Frank Sinatra’s “When You’re Smiling.” It features Arthur singing Stevie Wonder’s “For Once In My Life” while watching TV and smoking. The trailer ends with Harley softly singing Judy Garland’s “Get Happy.”
Is Joker 2 Really a Musical?
Joker: Folie à Deux was set to be a musical, showcasing Gaga’s singing and Phoenix’s vocal skills from his role as Johnny Cash. Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir hinted at lots of music in the film, and insiders reported it would feature at least 15 well-known songs. However, director Todd Phillips later clarified that while music is crucial to the film, it’s not a traditional musical. The teaser trailer showed musical elements, including dance sequences and Phoenix singing “When You’re Smiling” and a duet of “Get Happy” with Gaga. It seems Joker 2 will have strong musical elements, with Phoenix and Gaga likely performing songs as part of the story.
Does Joaquin Phoenix Sing in Joker 2?
Todd Phillips revealed that for the musical scenes in Joker: Folie à Deux, Gaga and Phoenix chose to sing live instead of using pre-recorded tracks. Phoenix said it was important not to perform the songs as a typical musical would, avoiding perfect notes and vibrato. They combined several takes into one song, which Phillips found challenging to edit but crucial for the process. Gaga explained that the film’s songs, like “Get Happy” and “For Once in My Life,” act as dialogue and reflect the characters’ inner thoughts. They wanted the music to feel real and personal, showing the characters’ shared madness and their inner emotional lives.
Why is Joker 2 Rated R?
Continuing the legacy of the original, which remains the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, Joker: Folie À Deux of Joker 2 has been officially rated R by the MPA. The sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, earned its rating for “some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity,” ensuring it stays true to the bold tone of the first film.
What is the Joker’s Real Name?
The Joker’s true identity has been a mystery in the DC Universe. Fans have guessed names like Jack Napier and Arthur Fleck, but DC Comics never confirmed one. In Issue #5 of Flashpoint Beyond, Martha Wayne and Thomas Wayne argue over the Joker’s real name. Martha reveals she made Psycho-Pirate tell her the Joker’s name is “Jack Oswald White.” She also found the Flashpoint universe’s Jack Oswald White as a struggling janitor at Wayne Casino, supporting his family. Despite his tough life, Jack goes through events similar to those in Batman: The Killing Joke. Interestingly, musician Jack White inspired the Joker’s name, and he expressed his thanks to DC Comics on Instagram.
Will Joker 2 Be Violent?
Joker 2, directed by Todd Phillips, has the same R rating as the Oscar-winning first film, but for different reasons. Joker (2019) got its R rating for “strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief sexual images.” This time, Folie à Deux is expected to be less violent but will likely focus more on sexuality and language.
Will Batman Be in Joker 2?
Joker (2019) focused on his journey into madness, turning him into the Joker. Batman’s absence didn’t feel out of place since Arthur’s anger was aimed at Thomas Wayne. However, there was some confusion about whether Arthur would become the true Joker, as he’d be much older by the time Bruce Wayne became Batman.
In Joker: Folie à Deux, Arthur is expected to fully embrace his Joker identity and start a relationship with Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn. This sets the stage for the notorious duo who have often clashed with Batman. With Batman missing, his absence might be more noticeable.
Adding to the intrigue, it was revealed in May 2023 that Harvey Dent will appear in the sequel. Dent, who is closely linked to Bruce Wayne and Batman in the comics, makes it harder to imagine the story without a mention of Batman. While the first Joker introduced the Joker without Batman, it might be tougher to ignore the Dark Knight in Joker: Folie à Deux.
Final Words
The new Joker movie, Joker: Folie à Deux is an exciting sequel with Joaquin Phoenix returning as the lead. Lady Gaga joins the cast as Harley Quinn, adding a new twist. The film mixes drama with musical elements. It explores the intense and chaotic relationship between the Joker and Harley. Fans can look forward to a fresh and unique take on the story. The sequel promises to be memorable and thrilling.