Todd Phillips Shares First Look At Lady Gaga In 'Joker: Folie à Deux'

In celebration of Valentine's Day, filmmaker Todd Phillips has revealed a first look at Lady Gaga in her upcoming role in the highly anticipated sequel, "Joker: Folie à Deux." You can see the production still Phillips shared on his Instagram below.

It appears Lady Gaga's character is having an up close and personal encounter with Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, aka Joker. The caption only reads, "Happy Valentine's Day."

Pop star Lady Gaga confirmed her casting in the sequel in August 2022. Lady Gaga will portray Harley Quinn, The Joker's longtime love interest and sometimes antagonist. The "Joker" films are set in a timeline and universe independent of the DC Extended Universe, or DCEU. Margot Robbie portrayed Harley Quinn in three films for the DCEU including "Suicide Squad," "Birds of Prey," and "The Suicide Squad." Kaley Cuoco also voices the character in the hit animated series, "Harley Quinn," which streams on HBO Max.

While a DC Universe character, Harley Quinn, real name Harleen Quinzel first debuted in the classic "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992. Harley was originally the minion and girlfriend of The Joker, and the two often had a volatile love-hate relationship. Harley actually used to be a psychiatrist and was assigned to treat The Joker at Arkham Asylum. He eventually manipulated her, making her his partner in crime. Her origin story was first depicted in "The Batman Adventures: Mad Love" one-shot comic. It was later adapted into an animated episode of "The New Batman Adventures" that was also entitled "Mad Love."

Besides Phoenix and Gaga, "Joker 2" will also star Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Jacob Lofland. Phillips is back as co-writer and director for the upcoming film. The film's subtitle, "Folie à deux," refers to an identical disorder affecting two or more individuals, usually the members of a close family. Considering the relationship between The Joker and Harley Quinn, it looks like an apt choice.

Gaga has been acting in more films as of late. She earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in the 2019 hit film, "A Star Is Born." She did win an Oscar for the film, but it was for Best Original Song, "Shallow," in the film. She shared the award with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt. She received another nomination for Best Original Song for her track, "Hold My Hand," in "Top Gun: Maverick."

The 2019 "Joker" movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, of which it won two, including Best Actor for Phoenix and Best Original Score by Hildur Guðnadóttir. It is the second time an actor won the award for a big-screen portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime. In 2009, the late Heath Ledger posthumously won Best Supporting Actor his performance as The Joker in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film, "The Dark Knight."

Besides its award prestige, the film was also a box office smash. It grossed $335 million at the domestic box office and over $1 billion worldwide.

"Joker: Folie à Deux" is currently scheduled for an October 4, 2024 theatrical release.