Todd Phillips is beginning to stress that Joker: Folie A Deux isn’t your traditional musical.
While the filmmaker is known for stretching what you expect from a comic book movie with his dark drama take on Joker, he’s uncomfortable making a music-filled film like we’re used to and wants to ensure his past comments haven’t been misconstrued.
Speaking to Variety, Phillips spills some new details about the project, revealing that the Joker sequel will see Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck let go of his meds and slip into a fantasy world that “plays like the MGM musicals of yesteryear on acid.” It’s not your typical song and dance showcase, though.
“I just don’t want people to think that it’s like In the Heights, where the lady in the bodega starts to sing, and they take it out onto the street, and the police are dancing; no disrespect because I loved In the Heights,” says the filmmaker.
Phillips also states that we likely won’t see another entry after this genre exploration: “It was fun to play in this sort of sandbox for two movies, but I think we’ve said what we wanted to say in this world.”
Stay tuned for the madness when Joker: Folie A Deux drops this fall.
“Joker: Folie Ą Deux” finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized 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.
The film sees Joaquin Phoenix reprise his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, and features a cast that also includes Oscar-winner Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) as Harley Quinn, Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Catherine Keener (Get Out, Capote), alongside Zazie Beetz, reprising her role from Joker.
Joker: Folie À Deux premieres in theaters and IMAX on October 4th.
