Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix have teamed up to play the iconic Harley Quinn and Joker. Get all the latest updates about ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’

Excitement is reaching a fever pitch as the highly-anticipated sequel to Joker, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, has completed filming as of April 2023. With Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker and Lady Gaga stepping into the shoes of Harley Quinn, fans are in for a treat.

Unlike its predecessor, 2019’s Joker, which solely focused on the Joker character, Folie à Deux brings Harley Quinn into the spotlight alongside the Clown Prince of Crime. Lady Gaga’s involvement was initially rumored in the summer of 2022 and later confirmed by the star herself through a tantalizing teaser video on Twitter.

The anticipation for this sequel has been palpable since the release of the first film. Now, with Joaquin and Gaga embodying the iconic villainous duo, expectations are sky-high for what promises to be a box-office sensation. As the official trailer has now been unveiled, Hollywood Life is diving deep into all the crucial details: from the release date to the cast, the plot, and beyond. Fans can’t wait to see what this dynamic pairing has in store for them.

How Far Into Prodcution Is Joker: Folie à Deux?

On April 5, 2023, Joker: Folie à Deux concluded its filming journey, prompting director Todd Phillips and Lady Gaga, who portrays Harley Quinn, to share new snapshots of the infamous villainous duo to mark the occasion. Todd took to Instagram to express gratitude to the cast and crew, praising them as the best in the industry. Gaga echoed the sentiment by posting a photo of Harley with the caption, “That’s a wrap X, Harleen.”

Fans were treated to their first glimpse of Harley Quinn and the Joker in the upcoming sequel on Valentine’s Day 2023. Todd Phillips unveiled an image on his Instagram featuring Harley tenderly cradling Joker’s face, seemingly just after a passionate kiss, with Joker’s signature red lipstick smeared on Harley’s lips. Gaga also shared the image, captioning it with the film’s title, building anticipation among fans for the forthcoming cinematic spectacle.

Over the course of filming, Gaga and Joaquin were spotted filming all over New York. They were notably seen filming on the iconic Joker stairs, which are located in The Bronx.

Todd revealed Joker: Folie à Deux began filming on December 10, 2022. He took to Instagram to share the news with a photo of Joaquin getting his face shaved. “Day 1. Our boy. #joker,” he wrote.

Joker: Folie à Deux Release Date

Joker: Folie à Deux is set to be released on October 4, 2024. Joker was originally intended to be a standalone film, but the movie’s success led to a sequel getting the green light. In the months after Joker’s release, reports about a sequel being developed went around. In June 2022, Todd confirmed Joker 2 by posting photos on Instagram of the official script and Joaquin reading it.

Who Is In The Cast Of Joker: Folie à Deux?

In addition to the iconic duo of the Joker and Harley Quinn, the highly-anticipated film is set to feature a talented ensemble cast. Zazie Beetz will reprise her role as Sophie Dumond, the single mother who shares the same apartment building as Arthur Fleck. Their fantastical relationship, portrayed in the 2019 film, took an abrupt turn when Sophie discovered Arthur in her apartment.

While Zazie, Lady Gaga, and Joaquin Phoenix are the only actors officially named on the film’s IMDb page, other notable names have been listed in the cast. Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Harry Lawtey, and Jacob Lofland are among those listed, although their specific roles remain undisclosed. Notably, Harry Lawtey, known for his work in the HBO series Industry, is said to have a significant role in the film, as reported by Deadline.

Returning to direct the sequel is Todd Phillips, who also co-wrote the script with Scott Silver. Impressively, Phillips is also producing the film alongside Bradley Cooper, further adding to the anticipation surrounding the project.

What Is the Plot Of Joker: Folie à Deux?

Along with the casting, the plot of Joker: Folie à Deux has been kept under wraps. However, fans know it is a musical. “It’s an interesting decision. And I think it’s really exciting to see how it unfolds. And I think it’s somehow logical at the same time. It’s both logical and also very surprising,” composer Hildur Guðnadóttir told Variety in January 2023. “For me as well as the audience. So far it’s just been a really beautiful conversation and I’m really excited to see how it unfolds.”

According to Variety, the film was given the R-rated label because it contains “strong violence” and “brief full nudity.”

We’re in for a real treat with Joker and Harley Quinn. Watching their partnership unfold is going to be a wild ride. “Folie à Deux” in French means “delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association,” according to Oxford Languages.

How Does Joker: Folie à Deux Work With Margot Robbie’s Movies?

Fans might find themselves scratching their heads over the coexistence of two versions of the beloved Harley Quinn, portrayed by Margot Robbie in 2020’s Birds of Prey and 2021’s Suicide Squad, and now by Lady Gaga in Joker: Folie à Deux. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Gaga’s iteration of Harley inhabits a distinct DC universe separate from Margot Robbie’s portrayal, thus resolving any confusion.

Margot Robbie herself has expressed admiration for Lady Gaga taking on the iconic role, stating during an October 2022 interview with MTV, as reported by PEOPLE, “It’s such an honor to have built a foundation strong enough that Harley can now be one of those characters who other actors get to have a go at playing. And I think she’ll do something incredible with it.” With Robbie’s blessing and the clarity provided by The Hollywood Reporter, fans can eagerly anticipate Gaga’s unique interpretation of the character.