Lady Gaga is in early talks to start alongside Joaquin Phoenix in the “Joker” sequel that director Todd Phillips is developing as a musical…
Oscar winner Lady Gaga is in early talks to star in “Joker: Folie à Deux’ — the upcoming sequel to the 2019 film directed by Todd Phillips — where she would be expected to play Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix.
While a deal isn’t done just yet, Gaga is currently in discussions with the studio about the part where she would work with Phoenix, who earned Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his portrayal as Arthur Fleck — a disillusioned and delusional man who eventually transforms into the murderous Joker.
When she’s not writing and producing platinum records, Gaga has dabbled in acting including her role in 2018’s “A Star Is Born,” which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She eventually took home the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Phillips also worked with Gaga on that film after he served as a producer on “A Star is Born.”
The title of the film “Joker: Folie à Deux” hinted at the possible debut of Harley Quinn because “Folie à Deux” is defined as “an identical or similar mental disorder affecting two or more individuals, usually the members of a close family.” In her origin story, Harley Quinn was a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who treats The Joker before she eventually gives into his madness and falls in love with him.
The troubled and often times abusive relationship has sparked a lot of controversy over the years but it’s unknown exactly how Phillips might tackle the story in in his version of the film, especially considering how he reshaped The Joker’s origins with the original movie from 2019. This would also be a completely separate version of the character than the one portrayed by Margot Robbie, who has played Harley Quinn in several films including James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad.”
On top of all that, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is being developed as a musical, which would also explain why Gaga would be a massive land for the sequel.
While no contracts have been signed for Gaga or Phoenix just yet, it seems almost like a formality at this point considering the huge success “Joker” found at the box office after earning more than $1 billion worldwide for an ‘R’ rated drama that didn’t involve Batman whatsoever.
The film also scored 11 Oscar nominations including Best Picture along with two wins for Phoenix as Best Actor along with an award for the Best Score as well.
Until deals are done, there’s no word on when production might begin but it’s safe to say that the “Joker” sequel will end up as one of the hottest tickets in town assuming everything is finalized.
