Everything We Know About “Joker 2,” Including the Pop Star Who May Play Harley Quinn

Folie à deux is a French term for a rare mental disorder that’s also known as shared psychotic disorder. According to the National Library of Medicine, folie à deux occurs when the delusion of one patient who suffers from a psychotic disorder is transmitted in its entirety, or in part, to someone else. The condition usually occurs with people who are in close relationships.

The plot details for “Joker 2” are being kept under wraps, and very little is known thus far. However, the teased movie title could offer some insight into the story.

The sequel’s title may hint that the Joker will experience this mental disorder alongside his iconic comic-book partner in crime, Harley Quinn. While the first movie delves deep into the psyche of Arthur Fleck and shows his transformation into the violent villain, Joker, the second movie might explore his troubled on-and-off relationship with Harley as they both bring out the worst in each other.

Will Joaquin Phoenix Play Joker in “Joker 2”?

The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported on June 13 that Warner Bros. hasn’t yet closed the deal with Phoenix to reprise his role as the Joker in the sequel, but he’s said to be deep into final negotiations (as Phillips’s Instagram teased).

Who Will Play Harley Quinn in “Joker 2”?

It’s worth noting that the stand-alone “Joker” exists in a separate universe from other DC feature films, which means the audience will be introduced to a different version of Harley, which has previously been played by Margot Robbie in several live-action projects, including “Suicide Squad” (2016), “Birds of Prey” (2020), and “The Suicide Squad” (2021). Kaley Cuoco has also voiced the popular character in HBO Max’s animated series “Harley Quinn,” which will return for a third season later this year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the big name who could potentially join Phoenix in the sequel, joining Hollywood’s ever-growing list of actresses who’ve played Harley Quinn, is Lady Gaga. If finalised, this wouldn’t be the first collaboration between Phillips and Gaga. Phillips produced the 2018 musical romance “A Star Is Born,” which landed Gaga an Oscar for best original song for “Shallow.” In the movie, the “Rain on Me” singer starred opposite Bradley Cooper, who also serves as a producer for “Joker.”

Who Else Is in the “Joker 2” Cast?

News on the rest of the sequel’s cast is still forthcoming.

According to recent reports by The Hollywood Reporter, “Joker 2” is indeed set to be a musical! “Joker” as a musical, strange as it may sound, has a lot going for it.

The 2019 “Joker” movie was a massive success, netting Phoenix the best actor award at the Oscars and ultimately becoming the fourth highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. Phillips has also worked with Lady Gaga before, producing 2018’s “A Star Is Born” with Gaga and Cooper.

And while Phoenix may not seem like the most likely contender for a lead in a movie musical, he has some previous musical experience. He played Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic “Walk the Line,” doing his own singing and playing the guitar for the film. It’s not too hard to imagine the Joker singing gritty, angry country ballads in Cash’s trademark style, though how that would mesh with Gaga’s stratospheric pop vocal chops remains to be seen.

Though the project has officially been green lit, there’s no confirmed release date for “Joker 2.” The movie is still in development, so it’s highly unlikely it will come out before 2023. Assuming filming gets underway soon, we might be looking at a late-summer 2023 release date.

There’s no teaser trailer for “Joker 2.” However, once filming gets underway, we might get a short clip to hint at what’s to come for the franchise’s fans.