In a marriage of mayhem and madness, Lady Gaga makes her highly anticipated debut as Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix’s return as the iconic Joker in the tantalizing first trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” released on Tuesday.
The teaser unfolds with Phoenix’s restrained and somber Joker, known as Arthur Fleck, being escorted through a facility where he is confined. As he traverses the corridors, his gaze locks with Quinn’s, who stands poised in what appears to be a choir room.
“I’m nobody,” Gaga’s Quinn asserts later in the trailer, pantomiming a gun to her head. “I haven’t done anything with my life like you have.”
The first trailer for ‘JOKER 2’ has been released.
In theaters on October 4. pic.twitter.com/yj8yhSeikf
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 10, 2024
The footage delves into sequences of the villainous duo cavorting through the streets, evading explosions, fleeing from mobs, and exchanging kisses through Fleck’s jail cell, all set to a haunting rendition of the timeless tune “What the World Needs Now is Love.”
“I’ll tell you what’s changed,” Fleck declares at one point. “I’m not alone anymore.”
In DC Comics lore, the relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn has often been depicted as a twisted love affair, with Quinn initially introduced as the Joker’s therapist at Arkham Asylum.
Director Todd Phillips’ treatment of these iconic characters in his sequel remains shrouded in mystery, but given his bold interpretation of the Joker in the critically acclaimed 2019 film, it’s evident that “Folie à Deux” will offer a departure from traditional comic book narratives.
Joining Phoenix and Gaga in the cast are Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz, with Beetz portraying Fleck’s neighbor, Sophie.
The billion-dollar-grossing predecessor, “Joker,” garnered widespread acclaim and secured two Oscars in 2020, including a Best Actor award for Phoenix.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is slated for a theatrical premiere on October 4, promising audiences a chilling and enthralling exploration of the complex relationship between two of DC Comics’ most enigmatic characters.
As anticipation builds for this cinematic spectacle, fans eagerly await further insights into Phillips’ vision and the electrifying chemistry between Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, set to captivate audiences once more in a tale of love, chaos, and everything in between.