Lady Gaga Unites With Joaquin Phoenix In 'Joker: Folie à Deux' Trailer

Jul 27

Joker 2 poster — Image Source: i.ytimg.com

The Joker has returned, and he’s not alone this time. With the release of the latest Joker trailer, Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck is facing the trial of his life for his crimes and inciting riots in Gotham. With a large portion of Gotham on his side, Fleck now has the support of the (in)famous Harley Quinn portrayed by superstar Lady Gaga. Given that Joker was meant to be a standalone film, the 2019 film welcomed itself to a sequel that could become the blockbuster hit of fall similar to Deadpool and Wolverine becoming this summer’s blockbuster film.

When 2019’s Joker was released, the DCEU’s decision to distance itself from becoming canon to their universe allowed the film to have a grittier and darker possibility for an origin story for the Joker. With “no real origin story for the Joker in the comics—not a definitive one, anyway”, so Phillips and screenwriter Scott Silver were able to cherry-pick the canonical elements they needed and make up the rest. DC Studios CEO James Gunn cited Martin Scorsese films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The King of Comedy among his influences. This influence is especially seen with Robert DeNiro reappearing as a sort of villain figure (in Arthur Fleck’s mind).

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Gaga and Phoenix — Image Source: static.zoomnews.com

The premise of Joker: Folie à Deux is as follows, “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.” No matter what, it is evident that Arthur and Harley are set to “fed one another's particular delusions, right down to show-stopping fantasy musical numbers….set to the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra”.

Theatergoers and fans should prepare themselves for that final push of madness that brings Arthur and Harley into their well-known states of madness come October 4 of this year. Perhaps it is “true love” with the institutionalized Harley Quinn allowing Arthur (or his criminal alter ego, Joker) or perhaps it is him reveling in the chaos that brings Harley closer to him—a dark beauty in two irreparable souls creating their sympathy of chaos and bloodshed.