Fans expecting to see Arthur become a villain similar to the one in the comics will probably be disappointed.
‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ director Todd Phillips told Empire that the upcoming sequel will not show Arthur Fleck turning into Gotham City’s infamous ‘Clown Prince of Crime.’ Fleck will continue to be different from the classic Batman villain. Phillips explained that Arthur is not a criminal mastermind but an unintentional symbol for people:
“We would never [make him the Clown Prince of Crime]. Because Arthur clearly is not a criminal mastermind. He was never that. Arthur has become this symbol to people. This unwilling, unwitting symbol is now paying for the crimes of the first film, but at the same time finding the only thing he ever wanted, which was love. That’s always what he’s been about, even though he’s been pushed and pulled in all these directions. So we tried to just make the most pure version of that.”
Phillips says Arthur’s story is about finding the purest version of himself. While Arthur is institutionalized at Arkham and awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker, he struggles with his dual identity. He discovers true love and the music within him during this time.
The Film Won’t Have Perfect Song Renditions
‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ features Joaquin Phoenix returning in his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck/Joker. Lady Gaga, an Oscar winner herself, also stars in the film. Other cast members include Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener, along with Zazie Beetz. She reprises her role from the first ‘Joker’ movie.
Joaquin Phoenix said the sequel will include show tunes, but they won’t be perfect renditions. Arthur is not a professional singer; he grew up listening to his mother play songs on the radio. Phoenix said it was important for the music to feel real:
“It was important to protect that with poor phrasing and occasional bum notes. Arthur grew up hearing his mother play these songs on the radio. He’s not a singer, and he shouldn’t sound like a professional singer. He should sound like somebody who’s taking a shower and just bursts out into song. Gaga was always very encouraging of just, ‘Go with what you feel, it’s fine.’ For somebody who’s not a performer in that way, it can be…uncomfortable to do that, but also very exciting.”
Lady Gaga serves as the film’s music consultant, and she encouraged him to sing naturally.
Todd Phillips directed the film and wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. Phillips produced the movie along with Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Joseph Garner. ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ will be released in theaters on October 4.
