A Joker is born.
Warner Bros. and DC Studios released a new trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux” on Tuesday, giving fans their best look yet at the sequel to 2019’s hit psychological thriller “Joker.” The trailer emphasizes the bad romance between Arthur Fleck, a.k.a. The Joker (Joaquin Phoenix, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Joker”), and Harleen Quinzel, a.k.a. Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). It gives a preview of the film’s musical elements.
The trailer flashes back to Harleen becoming enraptured with Arthur when she sees him on TV. “When I first saw Joker — when I saw you — for once in my life, I didn’t feel so alone anymore,” she tells him after they meet not-so-cute inside of a mental institution. Together, they dive into the deep end, painting their faces with clown makeup, and (presumably) imagining grand musical numbers, and dancing manically on stairs together, all of which have a sinister, menacing quality, as we know the violence Arthur is capable of.
According to Warner Bros., “‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.”
“Joker: Folie À Deux” is directed by Todd Phillips and written by Phillips and Scott Silver. It’s produced by Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Joseph Garner. In addition to Phoenix and Gaga, the cast includes Zazie Beetz, who returns from the first movie as Arthur’s neighbor Sophie, and new members Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, Steve Coogan, Ken Leung, and Harry Lawtey (casting director Francine Maisler appears to have been watching “Industry,” the HBO drama that features Leung and Lawtey in its cast). Gaga also serves as music consultant.
“Joker: Folie À Deux” is expected to be a major awards contender in 2025, as the first “Joker” won two Academy Awards, for Phoenix as well as Best Original Score for Hildur Guðnadóttir (who is also returning for “Folie À Deux”), and was nominated for 11 total, including Best Picture. It is also expected to be a major box office hit, as the original grossed over $1 billion and became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time.
“Joker: Folie À Deux” will premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival later this summer; “Joker” won the festival’s top prize in 2019. It will then open in theaters and IMAX on Oct. 4.
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