‘Joker: Folie á Deux’: Todd Phillips Reveals New Images, Cinematographer Says Sequel Isn’t A Musical

What’s (mad) love got to do with it? In the case of “Joker: Folie á Deux,” pretty much everything. So it’s no surprise that director Todd Phillips debuted new images from his upcoming sequel on Instagram yesterday for Valentine’s Day. Phillips posted three new photos from his movie on social media yesterday, all featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in character. Their caption reads, “Hoping your day is full of love.”

READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024

The new images may not provide any further info about “Joker: Folie á Deux,” but it does hint that a more official preview is coming soon. Phillips confirmed as much in the comments on Instagram, saying that the film’s first trailer should be ready by mid-April.  Warner Bros. currently has the sequel set for an October 4 theatrical release.

As for the plot of “Joker: Folie á Deux,” that still remains under wraps, but it will feature Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck/Joker and his psychiatrist, Gaga’s Harleen Quinzell, falling in love and doing deranged stuff together.  Zazie Beetz returns from 2019’s “Joker,” with new cast members including Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey.

But what about the rumors that Phillips’ sequel is a musical? Cinematographer Lawrence Sher confirmed on a Zoom call recently that no, it’s not, although music plays a big role in the movie. “It’s not a musical per se, it just has music in it, that’s all,” Sher told his Zoom audience. “Music’s a part of the movie and the characters, but I don’t know if it’s a musical.”

Sher also had some intriguing comments about how the two “Joker” movies connect and Charlie Chaplin being a major reference to Phoenix’s portrayal of Fleck. “But there’s a lot of music in the first “Joker” too. There was actually things we didn’t do in the first “Joker” that, to some extent, are part of the DNA of the second one,” the producer continued. “You know how in the first “Joker,” he’s like watching Charlie Chaplin …he has a little music in him, right? The dancing on the steps and all that kind of stuff. There were some things we shot that were cut out, but there was a little Charlie Chaplin-ness to his being a little bit of a clown.”

So should audiences expect homages to “Modern Times,” “The Great Dictator,” and other Chaplin masterworks in “Joker: Folie á Deux”? It’s way to early to say, but Phillips’ movie remains one of the most anticipated films of 2024 regardless. Its 2019 predecessor made over $1 billion globally on its way to becoming the highest-grossing R-rated release in box office history. “Joker” then received 11 Oscar nods, including Best Picture, with Phoenix winning Best Actor for his performance. But “Joker” didn’t fare as well with critics, who remain divisive on the film, which lends “Folie á Deux” another strand of intrigue: will it be better received than the 2019 film?

Take a look at the latest photos from “Joker: Folie á Deux” below. As noted earlier, the sequel hits theaters on October 4.