Despite back and forth rumors circulating for the last three years, it has finally been announced that a Joker (2019) sequel is happening, and there's even a title too, as well as confirmation on the return of Joaquin Phoenix.
Joker took theaters by storm during its release in 2019. The stand-alone DC movie focuses in its entirety on the pre-Joker days of the Clown Prince of Gotham, depicting his descent into madness.
Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a struggling party clown and stand-up comedian with a serious mental illness. He lives with his mother in a shabby apartment, and he relies on anti-psychotic medication to get by.
But when Arthur is attacked by three Wayne Enterprises employees on the subway, so begins his rebirth as The Joker. The triple homicide makes the news, and the "Subway Killer" captures the attention of countless angry Gothamites.
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Meanwhile, Gotham is a powder keg, ready to blow at any minute, not unlike Arthur himself as he desperately tries to uncover the truth about his childhood, all the while still trying to make a name for himself on the comedy scene.
Joker left a huge impression on fans and critics, and was proof that DC didn't need to churn out movies that would only serve their extended universe. However, the film also came under fire for its level of violence.
With that said, the violence in the film is no worse than what you'd find in a Deadpool movie - it's just that the tone is entirely different. While a wildly entertaining and often times humorous affair, Joker is a bleak tale.
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But now, we finally have confirmation that a Joker sequel is on the way, and Todd Phillips, director and co-writer of the 2019 film, has even revealed the working title for the sequel, which will be Joker: Folie à Deux.
To no surprise, Phillips will be returning to helm the sequel, and will also co-write with Scott Silver again. The director, previously known for The Hangover movies, shared the news on his Instagram page in the form of a script cover.
Check it out below:
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We don't know anything in terms of plot, but the fact that the announcement comes with a title and confirmation that Phillips and Phoenix will be returning, that's more than enough to keep a smile on our faces for the time being.
But what does the title mean? Well, Folie à Deux actually means "delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association". Could this mean that another iconic Gotham character will be joining the fold this time around?
An older Bruce Wayne, perhaps? It would make sense, especially considering that he witnessed the murder of his parents during the riot at the end of Joker. Or maybe another villain such as Harley Quinn, who is synonymous with Joker.
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While news of Joker: Folie à Deux will undoubtedly put a smile on the faces of many fans of the first film, at the same time it will likely disappoint others. After all, Joker doesn't need a sequel, and evidently stands on its own two legs.
In fact, despite the rumor mill spinning as soon as the 2019 film was released, there were never plans for a sequel, but Warner Bros. reportedly signed Phillips to return to pen a script for a second movie.
In 2019, Phillips said that he would be interested in returning for a sequel depending on how the film performed at the box office, and if Phoenix was also interested in returning to reprise his role as Arthur Fleck.
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Later that year, Phoenix discussed the possibility of playing Arthur Fleck again, saying, "I can't stop thinking about it. If there's something else we can do with Joker that might be interesting."
Even Phillips never expressed a desire to return unless he could find "some thematic resonance" like with the first film. For Phoenix, this is a first in his movie career, as the actor has never made a sequel.
However, the method actor expressed just how much fun he had playing the role of Arthur Fleck, and did previously state that there were many other ways the character could be explored.
Joker received 11 Oscar nominations, and won Best Actor and Best Original Score. It grossed over $1 billion at the box office, and was the first R-rated film to make this achievement. It also became the highest-grossing film of 2019.
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