Joker: Folie à Deux Has a New Trailer, a Meet-Cute, and an R Rating

As a longtime fan of Lady Gaga and the Joker, I can’t help but be intrigued by her latest role as Harley Quinn in “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Having grown up watching Joaquin Phoenix’s mesmerizing performance in the first installment, I was both surprised and excited when I heard the news.

Joker: Folie à Deux – A New Musical Twist on the Joker Saga

Send in the trailer.

Arthur Fleck, in the back of a police van on his way to a historic trial, is elated as his fervent followers cheer him on from the streets below. In contrast, a radio announcer labels him not a martyr but a monster during a broadcast, which amuses the Joker. Upon encountering Harley Quinn at a mental institution, he reflects, “For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone anymore,” as her voice-over accompanies the outbreak of chaos within the facility. The Joker then performs “For Once in My Life” before his court appearance. Their performance unfolds in a lively trailer reminiscent of the 1950s TV show American Bandstand. Harley reassures him gently, “It’s alright, dear,” adding, “Let’s give the people what they crave.”

Is Joker 2 really going to be a musical … ?

In a surprising turn of events, Jacques Demy’s “Joker: Folie à Deux” is set to be a musical production. According to Variety’s report on March 22, this movie will feature an abundance of music, with at least 15 popular cover songs anticipated, such as “That’s Entertainment.” Additionally, there may be one or two original compositions added to the soundtrack. Rumors of a musical follow-up surfaced in August 2022, suggesting that this sequel includes intricate musical sequences that are more akin to “A Star Is Born” than “In the Heights.”

Footage filmed on set in New York on March 31, 2023, suggested the presence of show tunes with Lady Gaga seen performing “A Couple of Swells” from “Easter Parade.” While Phoenix wasn’t captured singing in these leaked videos, it’s likely a matter of time before we witness him doing jazz steps on Joker’s staircase.

Hildur Guðnadóttir, the film’s composer, finds the musical choice for “Folie à Deux” intriguing and logical. She shared her thoughts with Variety on January 15, 2023, expressing that it is both surprising and in line with the project’s progression. Although she doesn’t elaborate much on the reasoning behind it, it seems they wanted to make the most of Lady Gaga’s classically trained voice and add another layer to an already captivating production.

Where are they filming Joker 2?

In December 2022, filming for the sequel started in Los Angeles. Prior to this, we only saw glimpses of the production through social media postsings from the movie’s official accounts and Lady Gaga’s Twitter. However, it wasn’t until March that fans got a real peek at the shooting spots as they were shared online by dedicated followers. In these locations, Phoenix was identified as Arthur Fleck and another actor, unrecognized at the time, portrayed the Joker. The main actor wore a worn-out gray suit with clown makeup and fake blood on his ear. His companion kept his clown makeup immaculate but had a dirty red suit and yellow vest. (Or perhaps the other actor was a body double for certain scenes.)

After traveling to New York and New Jersey for filming, more locations for “Folie à Deux” have been uncovered. The Essex County Isolation Hospital in New Jersey was used to shoot scenes for Arkham Asylum. With a significant focus on the Joker and Harley Quinn’s encounter at the asylum, these New Jersey settings are crucial. Extra filming took place outside a courthouse in New York City where Donald Trump was once arraigned, along with the famous “Joker stairs” in the Bronx. The production is said to have ended on April 4, 2023.

Why is Lady Gaga playing Harley Quinn over Margot Robbie?

Todd Phillips being a “Little Monster” over Creative Control: The enticing prospect of Lady Gaga’s press tour! Primarily, this is due to Robbie’s Harley Quinn residing in the DCEU, managed by Josh Safran and James Gunn. Notably, this universe excludes Joker films and Matthew Reeves’ Batman. Regardless, Robbie endorsed Gaga in October 2022. In her conversation with MTV News, she shared, “I’m thrilled because I expressed my desire from the start that Harley Quinn would be among those iconic characters – like Macbeth or Batman – which are passed from brilliant actor to brilliant actor.” Essentially, Robbie is witnessing the continuation of Harley Quinn’s storied legacy.

And what does Gaga Quinn look like?

Over the past few films, including “A Star Is Born” and “House of Gucci,” Lady Gaga’s acting style has grown more exaggerated. With a musical based on mental illness leading to caricatured villainy, she’s found her Oscars contender. While it’s uncertain if she’ll win awards for “best” acting, she’s certainly capable of delivering the most theatric performances. The film’s poster, unveiled on April 2, depicts Gaga as Harley being dipped by Phoenix’s Joker, their faces suggestively close as if they’d just shared a passionate kiss. The tagline for the movie reads, “The world is a stage.” Prepare for Lady Gaga to recite Shakespeare throughout the entire press tour.

On Valentine’s Day 2024, Phillips posted three images from the upcoming film on social media. In one photo, Gaga and Phoenix were pictured with exaggerated expressions – Gaga’s eyes wide open, and Phoenix looking dapper. Another image showed them waltzing together, while in the third, their noses were almost touching. So, it seems we can expect some intimate scenes involving close nose contact in the movie, even if the focus isn’t explicitly on their noses. As for Gaga’s involvement in the production, she is not reportedly starring in this musical – a relief for those concerned.

Now, what does “folie à deux” mean?

The film features Lady Gaga in the lead roles, and its enigmatic title reflects a shared delusion or mental condition between two characters. We won’t disclose the exact term, but the title’s meaning becomes clearer as we follow the movie’s storyline.

When will Joker: Folie à Deux hit theaters?

On October 4, 2024, the movie breaks into music without prior announcement. The definitive date for its musical release is yet to be announced.

2024-07-23 18:54