This week's Your Nerd Side Show:
Oct. 4 is a very special date for Joker helmer Todd Phillips, as the first film came out on that date back in 2019. The sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, will be sharing that date as well, as it's set to release in theaters on Oct. 4, 2024. Four years after the original movie's release, and one year ahead of the new film, Phillips took to Instagram to celebrate the occasion with a previously-unseen photo of Joaquin Phoenix's return as the titular Clown Prince of Crime.
The image reveals Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, sans makeup, standing out in the rain. While he's surrounded by mysterious individuals holding umbrellas of different colors, the man they call Joker appears to be gleefully taking in the precipitation, perhaps just happy to be outside of Arkham Asylum's walls. In the caption of the post, Phillips wrote, "Oct. 4. Thanks for all the messages. Four years ago we had quite a ride. Lots of great memories. More to come."
Lady Gaga Joins Joaquin Phoenix in the Joker Sequel
Phoenix will be just one of the two lead stars of Joker: Folie à Deux. It was previously revealed that Oscar winner Lady Gaga will co-star as a new incarnation of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn, a psychiatrist working at Arkham Asylum who falls in love with the face-painting murderer. Not much has been revealed about the plot, though it seems most likely that the romance between Joker and Harley will be a big factor in Joker: Folie à Deux. It's also been revealed that the film will be a musical, making it a completely different kind of movie compared to the original.
Zazie Beetz will return in the sequel as well, reprising her Joker role as Sophie, a former neighbor of Arthur's. Other cast members include Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey. Phillips is back in the director's chair after co-writing the screenplay with Joker co-writer Scott Silver.
The original Joker was incredibly successful, becoming the first R-rated movie to surpass $1 billion at the global box office. It was also highly praised by filmgoers and critics. Phoenix won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the film, which also won another Academy Award for Best Original Score. That certainly had Warner Bros. interested in making a sequel, but Phillips and Phoenix opted not to rush the production to ensure that they got it right with the follow-up.
Joker: Folie à Deux will be released in movie theaters on Oct. 4, 2024.
Source: Todd Phillips on Instagram
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