Joker 2: Release date, cast, title, trailer and more

Phoenix is being joined by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn this time around, who has previously opened up about her version of the character, who she called Lee.

She told Access Hollywood: "You know, Lee is very special to me. She's a truly vulnerable, sweet person. You know, my version of Harley is mine, and it's very authentic to this movie and these characters.

"I don't want to give anything from the movie away, I think it's really something you have to experience in the theatre, but this film has music, it has dance, it has amazing acting in it. I loved working with Joaquin, I loved working with Todd. What I will say is that I've never done anything like I've done in this movie before, so it's all gonna be completely brand new and really fun."

Gaga's casting may have initially come as a surprise to some, but it made sense as soon as fans found out it was taking inspiration from a rather unexpected genre: the movie musical.

Director Todd Phillips has claimed that Folie à Deux is a "film where music is an essential element" and it has been reported by Variety that it will include "at least 15" song covers.

In the new trailer, Arthur is seen beginning to sing Stevie Wonder's For Once in My Life, while he and Harley later start to sing Get Happy, the song popularised by Judy Garland.

Here's everything we know about Joker: Folie à Deux.

Joker 2 release date

Joker: Folie à Deux will be released on 4th October 2024. So there are still a few months wait for the new film to be released, but it is sure to be a treat.

The release comes exactly five years on from the original Joker's opening, and it remains very possible that the sequel could also follow in that first film's footsteps by bagging a major festival premiere. After all, Joker was the surprise winner of the prestigious Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival in 2019, so could director Todd Phillips make it two for two?

The film's title was first confirmed as far back as June 2022, and is taken from the French idiom meaning 'madness of two' which refers to a delusional disorder shared by two people in close association. Much like the Joker and Harley Quinn, then.

Who is in the cast of Joker 2?

The cast members confirmed for Joker: Folie à Deux are the following.

• Joaquin Phoenix as Joker/Arthur Fleck
• Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn/Harleen Quinzel
• Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond
• Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent
• Catherine Keener as TBC
• Jacob Lofland as TBC
• Brendan Gleeson as TBC
• Steve Coogan as TBC
• Ken Leung as TBC

Phoenix will be returning once again for his role as the Joker/Arthur Fleck.

The actor played the critically acclaimed role in 2019, bagging the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the troubled DC villain.

Meanwhile, Lady Gaga has been cast as Joker's legendary love interest Harley Quinn – leaving the possibility open that Phillips will reinvent Harley’s character, rather than adhering to the source material from the DC comics or following version of the role played by Margot Robbie in the Suicide Squad films and Birds of Prey.

In addition, actress Zazie Beetz is also making a comeback as Sophie Dumond.

Meanwhile, joining the cast for Joker 2 is also Industry's Harry Lawtey (Industry) who, as revealed in the film's second trailer, is playing Harvey Dent.

Catherine Keener (Get Out), Jacob Lofland (Maze Runner), Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin), Steve Coogan (Alan Partidge) and Ken Leung (Lost) will all star in mysterious undisclosed roles.

Coogan previously opened up about his character somewhat, revealing: "I have a very interesting scene with Joaquin Phoenix. I play sort of a CNN type reporter who interviews him in his cell."

It is highly unlikely Robert De Niro and Frances Conroy will return as Murray and Penny, as they were killed by Arthur in the first film, although there's always the possibility of a flashback or two.

Meanwhile, one star who looks like they won't be appearing in the film despite previously expressing interest is Willem Dafoe.

Back in 2022, he told GQ: "There is something interesting about, like, if there was a Joker imposter. So it would be possible to have not duelling Jokers but someone that [claims] to be the Joker that isn't the Joker.

"And that kind of opens up the possibility of an interesting story, particularly if you had Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, and then you had someone who was either imitating or riffing off what he did. I fantasised about that. But other than that I am not talking to anybody [about it], you're the first one."

What could happen in Joker 2?

*Warning: There are spoilers for Joker ahead.*

An official synopsis has now been released for the film, and while it doesn't give a lot away, it does hint to where the story is set to go.

The synopsis says: "Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalised at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him."

We already knew that the film would be a twisted love story that follows Arthur Fleck after he meets Harley Quinn while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital.

At the end of Joker, Arthur Fleck had become his full Batman villain self after tearing through Gotham City following his disastrous appearance on Murray Franklin's talk show.

The film ended with Arthur in the aforementioned Arkham State Hospital, skipping away from his psychotherapy session leaving bloody footprints behind.

Of course, we know that the Clown Prince of Crime goes on to become, arguably, Batman's biggest nemesis, so there's certainly scope for more of Arthur's character and villainous actions to be explored.

Bruce Wayne only appeared as a child in Joker, which appeared to be a deliberate move to keep the focus firmly on Arthur. Could a sequel bring in an antagonist for Fleck?

And then there's the musical aspect, of course, which adds another intriguing ingredient into the mix. It certainly looks like the film is going to be unmissable one way or another – if we catch wind of any more plot news we'll post it right here.

Is there a trailer for the Joker sequel?

Yes! The first trailer was finally released for the film in April 2024 and within 24 hours had already managed more than 167 million views – so we certainly wouldn't bet against this being another major hit.

You can watch the trailer, which gives us a good glimpse at both Arthur and Harley's twisted love story and the musical nature of the film, below:

A second trailer was then released in July 2024, which you can watch here:

Joker: Folie à Deux will be released in UK cinemas on 4th October 2024.

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