Of all the wild rumors in the world that turned out to be true, this one seemed like the most far-fetched. But hey, some crazy internet rumors turn out to be true. In a bonkers casting move that will make this one of the most highly anticipated movies of whatever year it arrives (2023?) Lady Gaga is joining the cast of the “Joker” sequel opposite Joaquin Phoenix for director Todd Phillips.
READ MORE: Director Todd Phillips Confirms ‘Joker’ Sequel & Reveals New Title
To add to the gonzo-ness of it all? The sequel is also supposed to be a musical, in case you wanted all of this to sound nuttier. While a deal still needs to be made, according to The Hollywood Reporter, if Gaga signs on the dotted line, she’ll be playing none other than the Joker’s love interest Harley Quinn.
Wait, you’re asking: isn’t Margot Robbie already Harley Quinn in the DC Films universe? Yes, but as you’ll remember, this Joker is part of a universe unconnected to the current DCEU—much like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker had nothing to do with Jared Leto’s version of the Joker, nor any of the current Batmen in the DC Universe. Phillips’ “Joker” is essentially in a multiverse earth that is not the same one that has Robbie’s Harley Quinn or Ben Affleck’s Batman, or Matt Reeves’ version of The Batman, too—it’s all disconnected, go that? Confusing? Somewhat, but it’s made money and audiences seem to be ok with it all.
Titled “Joker: Folie à Deux” — a title that alludes to a medical condition for an identical or similar mental disorder that affects two or more individuals, in his case, the toxic relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn—Phillips is directing and co-writing again with his partner Scott Silver.
In the comics, and as seen a little bit in David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad,” Joker and Harley Quinn have a lethally abusive relationship that is romantic but also deranged and emotionally poisonous; the Joker often gaslights her and mentally abuses her.
In some versions of the comics—again, as seen in Ayer’s movie, Quinn is a therapist who the Joker essentially mentally manipulates and gaslights into being a villain like himself.
It’s unclear how close Phillips’ storyline will follow the comics, given his series is generally only loosely tied to the comics and the Joker’s origin story. “Joker” made over $1 billion at the box office in 2019 off a paltry $50 million budget. The new management over at Warner Bros. seems to think what Phillips pulled off with the original is something to aspire to, and have been looking to him to potentially have an advisor role at DC Film because of his unique approach to the property.
Gaga is coming off her acclaimed performance in Ridley Scott’s “House Of Gucci,” and before that, her excellent turn in Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born.” More developments on this film as they arrive.
