Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix are two lovers on the brink.
The Oscar winners play iconic supervillain characters Harley Quinn and the Joker, respectively, for Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie á Deux.” The sequel to 2019 Batman prequel “Joker,” the new film centers around Arkham Asylum and its inhabitants, including psychiatrist Quinn who originated in the “Batman the Animated Series” show. The character was first brought to live-action by Margot Robbie in “Suicide Squad,” followed by her performances in “Birds of Prey” and “The Suicide Squad.”
The “Joker 2” cast includes returning “Joker” star Zazie Beetz, “Banshees of Inisherin” Oscar nominee Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, “Industry” breakout Harry Lawtey, and more.
Phillips says “Joker 2” has musical elements á la Francis Ford Coppola’s “One From the Heart.” But casting director Francine Maisler said during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival that Gaga was a surprise casting choice.
“I didn’t suggest Lady Gaga. It wasn’t my idea. That was Todd Phillips, before me,” Maisler said. “But I will tell you, she’s really surprising — and really good. I saw it and I was really surprised.”
Maisler continued, “I mean, we all knew what she could do in ‘A Star is Born,’ but I thought, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of in her wheelhouse.’ Something she could do and just be real. But this… Man, she’s good. Joaquin blows your mind, but that she could keep up with him, and be real — and not just wiped off the screen by what that role is and what the performance is — shows she’s good. […] She’s going to blow your mind.”
Gaga previously told Access Hollywood that her take on the role is an “authentic” understanding of the character.
“You know my version of Harley is mine and it’s very authentic to this movie and these characters,” Gaga said. “I’ve never done anything like I’ve done in this movie before, so it’s all going to be completely brand new and really fun.”
“Joker” was the first R-rated movie ever to gross over $1 billion worldwide. The feature received 11 Oscar nominations overall, with Phoenix winning Best Actor and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir winning Best Original Score.
The title for its sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” uses the French term folie à deux, which means an identical or similar mental disorder affecting two or more individuals, usually members of a close family.
“Joker: Folie á Deux” premieres October 4 in theaters after debuting at Venice 2024. Check out the trailer below. For all the details on the “Joker” sequel, click here.
