Joker 2 director Todd Phillips addresses musical rumours

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Todd Phillips, who is directing the upcoming follow-up to Joker, has spoken out about gossip that suggests the upcoming movie will be a musical.

On Tuesday, DC Studios released the trailer for their latest film, Joker: Folie à Deux. Fans quickly picked up on scenes featuring Joaquin Phoenix's character, Joker (also known as Arthur Fleck), and Lady Gaga's character, Harley Quinn, dancing and singing together.

In a particular part of the film, the duo is shown entertaining a crowd of fans in what seems to be a venue for cabaret performances. They also feature in another scene where they are dancing the waltz while standing on top of a building.

This has caused fans to wonder if the follow-up movie is actually a musical. This theory has gained more support because Grammy-winning pop icon Gaga is playing the role of Quinn.

On Tuesday night (9 April), Phillips was at CinemaCon in Las Vegas where he answered questions about the trailer. He was specifically asked about the numerous musical scenes in the trailer and whether the film Folie à Deux, which means "madness for two" in English, is a musical.

As stated by Entertainment Weekly, he responded that they hadn't discussed it in that particular manner, but he prefers to express that the movie revolves around music as a crucial component. From his perspective, this perception doesn't stray too far from the original film.

He guaranteed supporters that the movie would "be comprehensible" once they see it.

Phillips stated that Arthur Fleck has unusual and distant characteristics, yet possesses a musical talent. He also has an elegance about him which influenced the dance scenes in the previous film. While the dancing in this film may seem dissimilar, Phillips believes it will be understandable once viewed.

In the recently unveiled teaser, Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Phoenix, continues his rampage throughout Gotham City, accompanied by Harley, played by Gaga.

Before, when DC Comics character Harley Quinn was adapted, she was portrayed as a psychiatrist named Harleen Quinzel who falls in love with the notorious villain the Joker, leading her to a life of crime.

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We don't know for sure how much Folie à Deux will differ from its origin tale, but according to the trailer, it seems like the duo first meets in a mental hospital before embarking on a journey together.

In the movie released in 2019 called Joker, the story follows the mental deterioration of Arthur Fleck, a wannabe comedian and clown. Because of being rejected by society and in his love life, his dark alter ego, Joker, takes over. This results in him becoming a well-liked, yet controversial, anti-hero.

Phoenix earned an Academy Award for his portrayal, while the movie accumulated over $1 billion in ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film to date.

The follow-up movie is planned to hit theaters on October 4, 2024, which marks the fifth year since the first movie premiered.