What Kind of Music to Expect in “Joker: Folie á Deux”
Yesterday, Warner Bros. revealed the poster for director Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie á Deux, which finds Joaquin Phoenix’s clown prince of chaos dipping his main squeeze, Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn. The film’s official Twitter page not only revealed the poster but also the date of the first trailer—April 9:
The world is a stage. Trailer April 9. #JokerMovie pic.twitter.com/FG6PkzJkvi
— Joker Movie (@jokermovie) April 2, 2024
Then, on Wednesday, the sequel’s rating was revealed—like 2019’s Joker, Joker: Folie á Deux has been rated R.
These are some of the things we know for sure, along with the fact that Zazie Beetz returns as Sophie Dumond and newcomers joining Lady Gaga include Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson, Steve Coogan, Ken Leung, Gattlin Griffth, and Jacob Lofland. We also know that Phillips directs from a script he co-wrote with Joker scribe Scott Silver and that he brought back more Joker alums, including cinematographer Lawrence Sher and Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. When it comes to the actual storyline, Folie á Deux remains a mystery.
Yet one thing that has been revealed recently (by Variety) is that Folie á Deux will be a “mostly jukebox musical,” with at least 15 reinterpretations of well-known songs, with a few possible new songs thrown into the mix. “Details regarding who would pen the tracks or sing the numbers are unknown,” wrote Variety‘s Clayton Davis. “We do know, according to sources, Hildur Guðnadóttir, the Oscar-winning composer of the first Joker film, is said to ‘infuse her distinctive, haunting [music] cues’ into each number.”
If you’ve never heard the term “jukebox musical,” a few examples will shed light on what it means—think Mamma Mia! and Moulin Rogue—two movies that did very well incorporating popular music into their narratives.
As for the potential storyline, a few clues are on offer in the casting of Gaga as Harley Quinn and the title itself. There’s a strong suspicion the film will take place at least partly in Arkham Asylum, where Joker and Harley Quinn met in the comics. Considering Joker ended with Phoenix’s murderous comedian in police custody, it seems more than possible he ends up at Arkham where he meets Harley Quinn (who was working there in the comics, rather than as a patient herself). The title Folie á Deux refers to a medical term for two or more people suffering from the same or similar mental disorder, so that bit seems self-explanatory.
We should know more when the trailer drops on April 9. Joker: Folie á Deux is due in theaters on October 4.
For more on Joker: Folie á Deux, check out these stories:
Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga Take Center Stage in New “Joker: Folie á Deux” Poster
New “Joker: Folie à Deux” Images Tease a Twisted Romance And a Famous Dance
New “Joker: Folie à Deux” Image Finds Joaquin Phoenix Soaked But Serene
Featured image: Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Courtesy Todd Phillips/Warner Bros.
