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First Look at Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
Move over, Margot Robbie. There’s a new Harley Quinn in town, and she’s none other than the incomparable Lady Gaga. Filmmaker Todd Phillips, who directed the first Joker movie and is back at the helm for the Joker: Folie à Deux, gave fans a special Valentine’s Day treat by sharing a first look of Gaga in character on Instagram. And it’s safe to say that the internet has been buzzing with excitement ever since.
Related – Todd Philips Shares First Look Image of Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker: Folie á Deux’
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Phillips is no stranger to building anticipation for his films through Instagram. In the lead-up to the first Joker movie, he shared several behind-the-scenes looks at Phoenix in character as the Joker, which only increased the anticipation around its release. This time around, Phillips has once again taken to social media to get fans excited about the sequel. His latest sneak peek from the set of the Joker sequel showcases Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix’s sizzling on-screen chemistry as they lock eyes in a moment of passion.
It’s worth noting that Gaga and Phillips are no strangers to working together. The pair collaborated on the critically acclaimed A Star Is Born, which Phillips produced and in which Gaga gave a standout performance as Ally Maine. The upcoming sequel is scheduled to drop on October 4, 2024. The film boasts an impressive cast, featuring Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson, and Zazie Beetz.
But what can we expect from the film itself? Well, if the first movie is anything to go by, we’re in for a dark, gritty, and emotionally complex exploration of one of DC’s most iconic villains. In the first movie, we saw Phoenix’s Joker rise to infamy in a Gotham City that was as bleak and hopeless as he was. His journey from failed comedian to homicidal maniac was both tragic and terrifying, and it’s easy to see why the film struck a chord with audiences.
Joker: Folie à Deux promises to be just as compelling. The title of the film is a reference to a medical term for a shared delusion, which could suggest that we’ll be exploring the idea of Joker and Harley Quinn’s twisted relationship in more depth. It’s not clear how large a role Harley will play in the sequel, but given Gaga’s talent and screen presence, we can’t wait to see what she brings to the character.
Image: Warner Bros. Studios
Australia’s unofficial queen Margot Robbie, known for her portrayal of the infamous Harley Quinn in films such as The Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey, has expressed her positive thoughts towards Lady Gaga taking on the iconic role.
“It makes me so happy because I said from the very beginning, all I want is for Harley Quinn to be one of those characters, the way like Macbeth or Batman always gets passed from great actor to great actor,” Robbie told MTV News in October 2022.
Robbie added, “It’s such an honour to have built a foundation strong enough that Harley can now be one of those characters that other actors get to have a go at playing,” she added. “I think she’ll do something incredible with it.”
Of course, the success of the first Joker movie has put a lot of pressure on Phillips and his team to deliver another hit. The first movie grossed over USD$1 billion at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, and earning Phoenix a Best Actor Oscar. With that kind of success, the expectations for the sequel are sky-high.
But it’s not just the box office that’s at stake here. The release of Joker: Folie à deux comes at a pivotal moment for DC Comics, as the studio works to build a shared universe that includes film, TV, animation, and video game projects. While most of these projects will take place in the same continuity, there will be exceptions, like Joker and the upcoming Batman movie. These Elseworlds titles are meant to tell stories that exist outside of the main continuity, giving filmmakers and writers the freedom to explore different takes on DC’s iconic characters.
It’s clear that DC is betting big on these Elseworlds titles, and Joker: Folie à deux is one of the most highly anticipated projects in that category. With a talented cast, an accomplished director, and a beloved character at the centre of it all, this film has all the makings of a hit. And with Gaga on board, we can’t wait to see what other surprises the film has in store.
Related – ‘The Batman 2’ Won’t Hit Cinemas Until 2025
Sam Mangioni
Sam Mangioni is an experienced Staff Writer with an extensive background in digital content production and news. Prior to working for Man of Many, Sam spent three years at Southern Cross Austereo where he served as a Content Producer and News Reporter for the flagship Triple M Breakfast Program. The Sydney-based reporter completed a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University Majoring in Marketing in 2014. A specialist in sport, lifestyle and gear coverage, Sam's work has also featured in Fight News Australia.
