While Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to reveal its plan for the DCU moving forward, it appears that the studio's stand-alone DC projects are safe and moving forward. In addition to a sequel to Matt Reeves' The Batman, the studio also greenlit a sequel to its 2019's Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Todd Phillips.
Earlier this year, Phillips confirmed that the title for the sequel will be Joker: Folie a Deux, which means madness or delusion shared by two people. Naturally, this led to speculation that Joker 2 would involve a love interest for Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, such as Harley Quinn.
Following reports that Lady Gaga was in talks to play Quinn and that the sequel was expected to be a musical, the actress set the record straight by releasing the first official teaser for Joker 2.
Joker 2 Gets First Teaser
Following the news that the sequel to Todd Phillips' Joker has received an official release date, Lady Gaga has posted the film's first teaser, seemingly confirming her role as Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck.
Joker: Folie à Deux 10.04.24 pic.twitter.com/obp7T9lBFL
The teaser kicks off with a credit for Phoenix that fills the screen, followed by his silhouette dancing against a red background to the tune of Fred Astaire's "Cheek to Cheek."
The promo piece does the same for Gaga. And, if there was any question about her playing Harley Quinn, the heart-shaped tattoo on her face should put those doubts to rest.
After the title Joker appears, the two leads are shown dancing together as laughter is heard in the background. The teaser concludes with the title card, Foile a Deux, and the sequel's 2024 release date.
Arkham Asylum's Own Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers?
The decision to make Joker 2 a musical when the first film was not is a bold and surprising choice, but one that's made slightly more sane with Gaga's involvement.
However, it's worth noting that Phoenix is no stranger to singing on camera. The actor learned to sing and play the guitar for 2005's Walk the Line, where he played legendary singer Johnny Cash. The role secured him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
In addition to singing, this teaser also seemingly confirms that the two will be dancing as well, perhaps building off of Phoenix's now-iconic dance from the first film?
Lastly, when the film's release date was first announced, there were additional reports suggesting that much of the film would take place inside Arkham Asylum. Since this is where the 2019 film left Phoenix's Fleck - and due to the meaning of the sequel's title - it seems safe to say that Arkham will be the setting for Joker and Harley's romance come 2024.
Joker: Folie a Deux is set to premiere on October 4, 2024.
