Community
Print
Joker 2 is officially in the works, director Todd Phillips has confirmed. And, to the delight of the franchise’s fans, vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix will once again take to the silver screen as the Joker himself.
Rumors about the sequel have swirled ever since Joker, penned by Phillips and Scott Silver, was released in 2019. The original was a hit to say the least, becoming the first R-rated film to exceed $1 billion at the worldwide box office. It’s also the most profitable movie based on a comic book (Deadpool previously held this title).
At the 92nd Academy Awards, Joker pulled in 11 nominations and two wins, including Best Actor for Phoenix’s performance. At the Oscars, Phoenix, who has been vegan for around 45 years, used his acceptance speech to call out humans’ exploitation of animals in the food system.
Joker: Folie à Deux
But up until now, Joker’s creators had said little about a follow-up movie. That’s until last week, when Phillips tiptoed onto Instagram, where he had not posted in four months, to share a simple yet striking image: a script titled Joker: Folie à Deux.
Like the first, the upcoming film is written by Phillips and Silver. Also like the first, Phoenix is onboard; a second photograph shows the 47-year-old actor reading the script.
The sequel’s working title has fans speculating that the Harley Quinn character could be making an appearance too. Folie à deux, also called Shared Psychotic Disorder, is a rare delusional disorder that affects two closely associated individuals (although, it is not recognized by the DSM-5). In the DC comics, the Joker shares a turbulent relationship with Quinn, his psychiatrist at the Arkham Asylum.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, musician Lady Gaga could be stepping into Quinn’s role for Joker 2. And, the sequel will be a musical, the outlet says. (Phillips also produced the 2018 musical A Star Is Born, which featured Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Cooper is also a producer of Joker.)
Phillips and Phoenix have yet to comment on Gaga’s possible involvement, or whether Joker 2 will emerge in musical form. This article will be updated as and when new information arises.
