While Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its intentions to “reset” the DC Universe, some “old” projects are still moving forward. One project DC fans don’t have to worry about is a sequel to “Joker.” The billion-dollar box office hit earned Joaquin Phoenix a Best Actor Oscar statue back in 2020, earned Todd Phillips a Best Directing Oscar nomination, and certainly showed the filmmaker in a new light.
“Joker: Folie À Deux” is confirmed, will start shooting in December, and the musical sequel is looking to bring back at least one more familiar face from the original. A new report from Deadline has revealed that “Joker” actress Zazie Beetz (“Atlanta”) is in talks with the studio to reprise her role as Sophie Dumond in the sequel, a single mother that lives in Arthur’s apartment building that he pines for.
READ MORE: Lady Gaga Shares’ Joker 2’ Teaser Confirming Her Role In The Film
Beetz would join newcomer Lady Gaga (“House of Gucci,” “A Star Is Born”), who is confirmed for a co-starring role alongside Phoenix. Gaga is expected to play psychiatrist Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the original civilian persona of “Suicide Squad” member Harley Quinn before her life of crime with the Joker. Like the original being a transformation story, the journey of Arthur Fleck metamorphosing into the Joker, perhaps the sequel is the tale of Dr. Quinzel becoming Harley Quinn.
The sequel’s script is once again being written by Phillips and Scott Silver (“Requiem For A Dream,” “The Fighter”).
Given that the original pic took direct inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s films “Taxi Driver” and “King of Comedy,” it’s feasible that Jack Nicholson’s film “One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” could be an inspiration. Because ‘Folie À Deux’ is rumored to be set within the walls of Arkham Asylum, Gotham’s home for the criminally insane and a place where Dr. Quinzel first meets Joker in the comics.
The new executive team overseeing the studio could seek further projects from Phillips as the filmmaker once pitched a string of R-rated “DC”Black” standalone films that take place outside of the DCEU, like “ the ”Joker” movies. The studio turned him down at the time, but given new WB Discovery management has reportedly sought to bring him in as a DC advisor, who knows, maybe that plan could come to fruition again.
While “Joker: Folie À Deux” isn’t just around the corner, it will arrive in theaters on October 4, 2024, giving plenty of legroom if the rumored DC Universe release date reshuffle happens later this year.