Todd Phillips Is Moving on After ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’: “My Time in the DC Universe Was These Two Films”

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As a die-hard fan of dark, gritty, and emotionally intense films, I can hardly contain my excitement for the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Five years may seem like an eternity, but it’s been worth the wait to see Joaquin Phoenix reprise his iconic role as Arthur Fleck. The addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn promises to bring a fresh and intriguing dynamic to this twisted tale.

Five years since the debut of the initial “Joker” movie, earning over a billion dollars at the box office and winning Joaquin Phoenix an Academy Award, a sequel has finally been released, marking what appears to be the conclusion of the supervillain journey for writer-director Todd Phillips.

In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Phoenix, forms a romantic connection with Harley Quinn (played by Lady Gaga) while confined at Arkham State Hospital, awaiting trial for his actions as Joker. During the film’s premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, Phillips shared that he felt apprehensive about approaching Gaga for the role, but she readily agreed.

Apparently, we only gave her half the script, but she responded instantly, expressing her enthusiasm for it and praising every aspect,” the filmmaker shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “Later on, I visited her home to discuss the remaining details since we hadn’t finished writing it yet, as Scott Silver and I are known for our slow pace in writing.

When asked about the possibility of creating a standalone film for Gaga’s character, Phillips expressed that it doesn’t seem to be the direction this movie is taking for him. He mentioned, “I feel like my time in the DC Universe was these two films,” following his previous statement about not being interested in making a Joker 3. Notably, the director is known for directing the Hangover trilogy and the film War Dogs from 2016.

On her end, Lady Gaga immersed herself in embodying the renowned alter ego of the Joker, producing an accompanying album titled “Harlequin” to align with the movie’s debut.

She shared with THR that delving into both the music and the character felt incredibly unique. It was a journey through some deeply personal and private struggles from her life that she may not have wanted to disclose. However, within the context of this album, the film, and the narrative, it seemed like the ideal setting for expressing all these emotions.

Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on Friday.

Tiffany Taylor contributed to this report.

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2024-10-01 20:24