Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker will make his big screen return alongside Lady Gaga.
Not long after Joker director Todd Phillips confirmed he would be writing and directing a sequel, Gaga confirmed her casting by sharing a video of her and Phoenix’s silhouettes dancing via Instagram. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” she captioned the August 2022 post. “10.04.24.”
Gaga is set to star as Harley Quinn, who is often depicted as being in an on-and-off, abusive relationship with the Joker in the comic books. The film’s title, Folie à Deux — a French term that refers to a “delusion or mental illness” shared by two people in close association — could be a nod to the difficult relationship between the characters.
Phoenix won Best Actor at the 2020 Oscars for his role as the Joker (real name Arthur Fleck). “I’ve been a scoundrel in my life,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I’ve been selfish, I’ve been cruel at times, I’ve been hard to work. I’ve been grateful [because] so many of you in this room have given me a second chance. … We help each other to grow, we educate each other, we guide each other to redemption. That is the best of humanity.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Joker: Folie à Deux:
A Sequel Is Happening
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news that a follow-up to the Best Picture nominee was in the works, which director Phillips confirmed via Instagram one month later.
Todd Philips Is Back as Writer and Director
In his post, Phillips revealed that he and writing partner Scott Silver had teamed up again to write the newest installment.
It Will Be Titled ‘Folie a Deux’
Folie à deux, which is often translated to “madness for two,” frequently refers to a delusion or insanity shared by two or more people. With Gaga playing Harley Quinn, the term could be a nod to her previous career as a psychiatrist before she fell in love with the Joker — and then into a vat of acid — and became his second-in-command.
Joaquin Phoenix is Returning
Phillips confirmed in June 2022 that Phoenix would reprise his role as Arthur Fleck.
Lady Gaga Will Play the Female Lead
The A Star Is Born actress announced that she would star in the film in August 2022.
It Will Be A Musical
The Oscar nominee’s Instagram post seemingly confirmed that Folie à deux would be a movie musical, based on the dancing silhouettes set to “Cheek to Cheek.”
It Will Hit Theaters in Fall 2024
The Joker sequel is slated for release on October 4, 2024.
The 1st Glimpse of Harley
The “Babylon” songstress gave fans their first look at her Harley Quinn character in February 2023. “Folie à Deux 🃏,” she captioned the Instagram photo, which showed her embracing the Joker and clutching his face.
A New Sneak Peek
As a Christmas gift to fans, Phillips shared new stills of Phoenix and Gaga from the film via Instagram. One shot features Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck appearing angry in a jail cell, while the other sees Gaga’s Harley Quinn giving the Joker an empathetic look.
An Act of Devotion
In a September 2024 clip first shared by Entertainment Weekly, Gaga’s Harleen “Lee” Quinzel can be seen visiting the jail cell in which Phoenix’s Arthur is detained. Despite being separated by bars, the two passionately kiss before a guard yells, “Hey, no touching!”
“I’m so f—ing proud of you. You should see it out there,” Harleen tells Arthur, referencing the crowd outside. “They’re all going crazy for you. You did it.”
When Arthur suggests he should “read a law book or something,” Harleen replies, “You can do whatever you want. You’re Joker.”
