At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, casting director Francine Maisler said Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie á Deux’ wasn’t her idea originally. Director Todd Phillips chose Gaga for the role, and Maisler was surprised by her performance. He said:
“She’s so good in it, you guys. She’s going to blow your mind. I didn’t suggest Lady Gaga. It wasn’t my idea. That was Todd Phillips, before me. But I will tell you, she’s really surprising — and really good. I saw it and I was really surprised. I mean, we all knew what she could do in ‘A Star Is Born,’ but I thought, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of in her wheelhouse.’ Something she could do and just be real. But this… Man, she’s good.”
Maisler continued:
“Joaquin [Phoenix] blows your mind, but that she could keep up with him, and be real — and not just wiped off the screen by what that role is and what the performance is — shows she’s good.”
Gaga Will Portray Her Own Version Of Harley Quinn
Previously, Gaga told Access Hollywood that she would offer a fresh take on the DC villain in the upcoming movie:
“You know, my version of Harley is mine and it’s very authentic to this movie and these characters. I’ve never done anything like I’ve done in this movie before, so it’s all going to be completely brand new and really fun.”
It means fans shouldn’t expect Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn to be similar to Margot Robbie’s in movies like ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Birds of Prey.’ Robbie endorsed Gaga playing the role. She said in a chat with Variety:
“I always wanted Harley to be a character that would get passed on to other actresses to play, the way there are so many iconic male characters. That was always the dream for her. Harley’s so fun and can go in so many different directions. You put her in someone else’s hands, and it’s like, ‘What are they going to do with her?’ The options are endless.”
Gaga joined Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey in the cast. The movie, set to release on October 4, 2024, will be rated R.
