All You Need to Know About 'Joker: Folie à deux'

The first trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux is finally revealed, and it already promises breathtaking performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, playing the roles of the Joker and Harley Quinn respectively. During CinemaCon earlier this Tuesday, Warner Bros revealed the first trailer for the highly anticipated sequel, which is due to be released in theatres five years to the day after the first Joker movie.

In the nearly two-and-a-half-minute teaser, Joaquin Phoenix, who plays Arthur Fleck, is serving his sentence at Arkham State Hospital for the murder of Robert De Niro's character in the previous film. The failed stand-up comedian is quickly piqued when he turns his attention to Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, also a frequent patient of the hospital.

The teaser then shows the progression of the love story between the Joker and Quinn, who quickly fall in love as they live and dance in a world of their own, heavily influenced by classics like Singin' in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz. We hear the main protagonist who points to Quinn as the trigger for his newfound happiness and love of life. “Tell us, Arthur, what’s changed?” asks Steve Coogan's character, whose name has not yet been revealed by Warner Bros. “I'll tell you what's changed: I'm not alone anymore,” replies the Joker, while the clip ends with a montage of scenes with Quinn.

The trailer comes a week after the sequel's first poster, depicting Phoenix and Gaga's characters dancing in the spotlight while wearing their comic book characters' infamous clown makeup. The poster was also emblazoned with the message "the world is a stage", hinting that Quinn and the Joker will be performing together for the world to see, an idea also reiterated throughout the trailer. At one point in the new video, a television turns on with "Joker & Harley" in the background and a series of quick clips show the characters engaged in a musical variety show.

Although many details of the project are being kept under wraps, it is believed to be a continuation of the Joker's story told in the first film. Based on photos Phillips posted on his Instagram during filming, it appears the film will closely follow the DC Comics story of how the Joker and Quinn came to fall in love.

In the comics, the Joker is a patient in Arkham Asylum after his arrest and is placed under the care of Dr. Harleen Quinzel. The Joker slowly transforms Quinzel against her will until he pushes her into a vat of chemicals, which bleaches her skin and drives her insane. It seems that the film is taking another path and that Lady Gaga plays another patient at Arkham State Hospital.

In 2023, the film was confirmed to be a musical and last month, Variety reported that Joker: Folie à Deux includes at least 15 revivals. The outlet also indicated that original songs could be included.

In this sequel, Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Joker, while Lady Gaga joins the cast in the role of Harley Quinn. Zazie Beetz also returns as Sophie Dumond, a single mother who lives in the same building as the Joker. Among the new names revealed in the cast are Steve Coogan, Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener — all of whom play previously undisclosed roles.