Todd Phillips’ latest venture into the Joker universe, Joker: Folie à Deux, is set to open with a twist that deviates significantly from traditional comic book adaptations. According to a report on Variety, rather than a dramatic or musical opening, the sequel will kick off with an animated sequence crafted by Sylvain Chomet, the French comic writer and director renowned for the Oscar-nominated The Triplets of Belleville. This unique start is meant to set the tone for a film that promises to be a wild ride, blending dark cinema with a dash of animated whimsy.
The animated opening is not just a creative choice but a thematic tone-setter, hinting at a film crafted by the chaos that defines the Joker franchise. “The goal of this movie is to make it feel like it was made by crazy people,” Phillips describes. “The inmates are running the asylum.” The sequence will feature a montage that includes prison riots and courtroom dramas, intertwined with musical sequences.
Phillips’ approach to the Joker sequel appears to be a deliberate pivot from conventional superhero films, aiming to surprise audiences with something unexpected right from the start. This tactic aligns with the reception of the 2019 Joker film, which was celebrated for its departure from standard comic book storylines and garnered significant critical acclaim, including 11 Academy Award nominations and a Best Actor win for Joaquin Phoenix.
The new Joker: Folie à Deux film continues the story of Arthur Fleck, introducing Harley Quinn into his chaotic world. However, this version of Harley, portrayed by Lady Gaga, will differ markedly from traditional depictions. “The high voice, that accent, the gum-chewing and all that sort of sassy stuff that’s in the comics, we stripped that away. We wanted her to fit into this world of Gotham that we created from the first movie,” Phillips explains. This reimagined Harley Quinn aims to avoid the problematic elements often associated with her character, such as her origin as Joker’s psychologist and subsequent abusive relationship.
While Joker: Folie à Deux promises to offer a fresh take on its characters, it also represents a broader strategy by Warner Bros. to explore and expand the Joker franchise without being bound by the typical constraints of the comic book genre. This includes paying homage to cultural icons like Looney Tunes, which Phillips holds in high regard, despite Warner Bros.’ recent distancing from the property.
Joker: Folie à Deux laughs its way into cinemas on 4 October.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
