Joker 2's Todd Phillips explains music sequences and casting Lady Gaga
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Joker 2 director Todd Phillips has explained the movie's focus on music, as well as the casting of Lady Gaga.
The film, known officially as Joker: Folie à Deux, has just released its first trailer, giving fans a first proper taste of the anticipated DC sequel.
The movie was previously confirmed to be taking the form of a musical, and speaking at CinemaCon, Phillips revealed that Folie à Deux's tone is one "where music is an essential element".
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"We never really talked about it like that, but I like to say it's a film where music is an essential element," he said (via Entertainment Weekly). "To me, that doesn't veer too far from the first film.
"Arthur [Fleck]'s weird and aloof and all these things, but he has music in him. He has a grace to him. That informed a lot of the dancing in the first film... it didn't feel like that big of a step here. It's different, but I think it'll make sense when you see it."
Speaking further about casting Gaga as Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn, the director admitted they had always envisioned her in the role.
"We cast Gaga because she's magic," he said. "I was a producer on A Star Is Born... That was the first time I really met her and got to watch her work. As we were writing this script, Scott [Silver], who I wrote it with, kept going back to her."
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The first trailer for Folie à Deux sees Phoenix's Arthur Fleck/Joker and Quinn bond in an institution before setting off on a criminal spree, all set to the song 'What the World Needs Now Is Love'.
"I want to see the real you," she tells him at the end of the clip.
As well as Phoenix, Gaga and returning star Zazie Beetz, the movie is also set to star Steve Coogan, Avatar: The Last Airbender's Ken Leung and Harry Potter's Brendan Gleeson.
Joker: Folie à Deux is scheduled for a cinema release date of October 4, 2024. Joker is available to buy on Blu-ray or streaming now.
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