Joker fans were surprised to learn, not only that a sequel is in the works, but that said sequel will be a musical. Titled Joker: Folie À Deux (which roughly translated means a “delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association”) the latest rumor regarding the continuing adventures of The Clown Prince of Crime claims to explain how musical numbers will play into the plot. Revealed during the latest episode of The Weekly Planet Podcast, Joker: Folie À Deux will tell the story entirely from Harley Quinn’s perspective, with the musical sequences portraying how she views her romance with the Joker.
"Apparently, Joker 2 isn't so much a Joker movie, it's a Harley Quinn... It's from Harley Quinn's perspective. And the reason it's a musical is because that's how she perceives her relationship with Joker."
The rumor, which was notably mentioned during the podcasts wonderfully titled "Hot Scoop or Shot of Poop" segment, reportedly comes from "a very reliable source," with this approach transforming the Joker sequel into a romantic musical. Though one with a warped, violent layer underneath, presumably.
While currently just a rumor, considering that the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Grammy Award winning Lady Gaga will join Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux, the addition of musical sequences and the way that they will be interspersed into the plot for the sequel certainly makes a lot of sense. Almost creating a twisted version of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Academy Award nominated 2018 hit, A Star is Born.
Lady Gaga Will Join the DC Universe as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux
Pop sensation and star of A Star is Born and House of Gucci, Lady Gaga will join the DC cinematic universe as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux. Her role in proceedings has now been officially confirmed courtesy of a brief teaser, which finds Harley Quinn and Phoenix's Arthur Fleck aka Joker dancing to Fred Astaire's Cheek to Cheek.
Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series back in 1992, Harley Quinn began life as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum who falls in love with her patient, the Joker, becoming his accomplice and lover. The character has become a staple of the world of Batman, and has been portrayed in live action before by Margot Robbie in the likes of Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), and The Suicide Squad.
Bringing Harley Quinn into the world of Joker alongside Joaquin Phoenix certainly makes sense, and should lend a whole new perspective to the Academy Award-winning 2019 movie. Not only will Joker: Folie à Deux seemingly introduce Harley Quinn, but also Arkham Asylum, and with it no doubt different takes on several iconic DC characters from Batman’s rogue’s gallery.
Joker director Todd Phillips will return to helm Joker: Folie à Deux, and is scheduled to be released on October 4, 2024.