The much-awaited sequel to the smash hit “Joker,” titled “Joker: Folie à Deux,” is gearing up for its big-screen debut. This time, audiences will witness the infamous villain in an unexpected twist – singing and dancing his way through the narrative, blending his madness with melody. Whether he enchants or terrifies remains to be seen!
This musical shift actually has roots in a dream Joaquin Phoenix, the actor behind the Joker’s haunting performance, experienced while shooting the original film. In an interview, director Todd Phillips shared that Phoenix had a vivid dream where his character, Arthur Fleck – the man beneath the Joker’s mask – was performing onstage, cracking jokes, and belting out songs.
“Todd was in the wings talking to me through a headset,” Phoenix recalls. “I woke up feeling elated and called him, hoping he’d want to do a show with me.”
The idea sparked discussions between Phoenix and Phillips about a Broadway production. However, they soon realized the logistical challenges of bringing the Joker to Broadway. “When we started really thinking about it, we realized it takes four years to put something like that together. And is Joaquin really going to give six months of his life to do that every night onstage?” Phillips remarked.
With the onset of the pandemic, the dream of Broadway dimmed. However, Phoenix’s vision lingered. Phillips, along with his co-writer Scott Silver, began to explore how they could revisit Gotham, merging the Joker’s chaos with a touch of showmanship. The result? “Joker: Folie à Deux,” ready to shake things up five years later.
Phillips admits to feeling the pressure of how this daring sequel will land, especially since it features musical numbers alongside none other than Lady Gaga. “Why do something if it doesn’t scare the shit out of you?” Phillips quipped.
The first “Joker” redefined comic book adaptations by delving deep into the psyche of a troubled, isolated man. It was a gamble that paid off, earning Phoenix an Academy Award. The sequel looks to push the envelope even further, exploring the link between mental illness and the emotional power of music.
Also, Read: 10 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About “Joker” (2019)
Gaga, who plays a significant role in this sequel, adds, “Todd took a very big swing with this whole concept and with the script, giving the sequel to ‘Joker’ this audacity and complexity. There’s music, there’s dance, it’s a drama, it’s also a courtroom drama, it’s a comedy, it’s happy, it’s sad. It’s a testament to [Todd] as a director, that he would rather be creative than just tell a traditional story of love.”
So, brace yourself for a Joker like never before – with music, madness, and possibly inspiring a whole new wave of musical villains!
Source: Variety
