Todd Phillips has provided the first set photo for Joker: Folie à Deux, the upcoming sequel to the 2019 psychological thriller Joker!
In the first Joker, audiences see the downward spiral of Arthur Fleck, a poor comedian whose history of abuse and ostracization transformed him into one of Gotham’s most notorious villains. The story loosely adapts elements from DC Comics’ Batman: The Killing Joke, although the filmmaker eschewed aiming for specific comics when searching for ideas.
Joker (2019) delivered commentary on the vicious cycle of society’s apathy toward mental illness, the resulting stigma attached to the condition, and the ensuing violence from those with unresolved issues. The feature was a critical and commercial success, earning $1.074 billion against a $55-70 million budget and 12 Academy Award nominations, making it the first R-rated film to achieve both feats. Additionally, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance earned him the Best Actor Oscar, the first time the award was given to a performer in a comic book movie.
Putting the “Laughter” in “Slaughter”
Although the first Joker was intended to be a standalone film, Phillips had ideas for a sequel if Joaquin Phoenix was interested in returning. Indeed, Phoenix enjoyed the role of Joker and wanted to explore numerous story possibilities for the character. A month after the release of Joker (2019), The Hollywood Reporter announced a sequel, though Deadline Hollywood refuted the story. Phillips himself clarified that the possibility of a sequel was in discussion with Warner Bros., though they have not greenlit the project. It would not be until June 2022 that Phillips officially announced the sequel.
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Despite a Freudian slip from Robert Pattinson and speculation suggesting otherwise, Phillips confirmed that The Batman (2022) does not share continuity with Joker (2019) and its sequel. However, he was interested in a Batman spin-off, with Batman in Phillip’s version of Gotham City. Seeing that one of the rioters near the end of Joker (2019) killed Bruce Wayne’s parents, there could be a different context to the rise of the Dark Knight and his feud with the Clown Prince of Crime.
First Look at Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux
On December 10, 2022, principal photography began for the film. Phillips posted the first set photo on his Instagram account.
Todd Phillips returns as director as well as writer, with Scott Silver as co-writer. Joaquin Phoenix will reprise his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker; Zazie Beetz will also be returning as Sophie Dumond, Arthur’s cynical, unrequited love interest. Lady Gaga joins the cast as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist who falls in love with Arthur and would later become supervillain Harley Quinn. Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey have additionally been cast in undisclosed roles.
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Although details about the film’s plot are yet to be announced, it will contain musical numbers. Based on the subtitle Folie à Deux (“folly of two”; shared madness), Joker 2 might delve into the romantic-turned-unstable relationship between Fleck and Quinzel. Much of the story will take place in Arkham Asylum, where the first film ended.
Joker: Folie à Deux is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 4, 2024. How did you find the first image of Joker: Folie à Deux? What do you hope to see in the feature? Do you think we will see in other DC characters in the sequel? Let us know in the comments!
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Source: ComingSoon.net.
