Lady Gaga mocked for denying Joker 2 is a musical after talking about movie’s songs

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People on social media are making fun of Lady Gaga for saying that her upcoming movie Joker: Folie à Deux is not a musical.

The movie is the second part of the story that began in 2019 with the film Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, known for his work on The Hangover movies. Joaquin Phoenix returns to play the main character, Arthur Fleck/Joker, and Lady Gaga has also joined the cast as his love interest, Harleen "Lee" Quinzel. Phillips and Gaga have mentioned that there is a big focus on music in this upcoming movie.

Phoenix and Gaga are set to take the stage with a mix of song and dance performances, belting out timeless classics such as “Get Happy,” “For Once in My Life,” and “That’s Life”. Earlier in the year, Gaga teased fans, mentioning that the show will include music, dance, and drama.

However, Gaga has recently stated that the movie is not a musical.

"I wouldn't exactly call this a musical in many aspects. It's quite unique," she said to a crowd at the Venice Film Festival, as reported by Variety.

Music is a valuable tool for characters to convey their emotions that words alone may not fully capture.

The response on social media was filled with mockery, with comments like "Seriously? That's literally a musical, what's happening?"

One person commented, "I really like how all the people involved with this movie keep saying it's not a musical, but then they go on to describe exactly what a musical is to prove their point."

Another person stated, "I have to watch this film to understand what they are talking about because just using music and singing during dialogue is a fundamental aspect of what makes a musical."

Some people thought that the choice to categorize the film as something other than a musical was made in order to appeal more to male viewers.

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Another person criticized the decision to not simply label it as a musical for fear of upsetting male audiences. They questioned why the creators would make it a musical at all if they are so hesitant to acknowledge it.

Another person speculated that she is being forced to say it in order to ensure that all the young heterosexual men still watch the movie.

Earlier this year, Phillips also stated that the movie is not a musical. He explained that the music in the film is essentially like dialogue, with the character of Arthur using songs to express what he cannot put into words.

He went on to say, "I want to make it clear that my movie is not like In the Heights, where a woman in a small store suddenly starts singing and everyone joins in dancing in the streets, including the police. I don't mean any disrespect, though, because I really enjoyed In the Heights."

The 2019 movie Joker follows the deteriorating mental state of aspiring comedian and clown Arthur Fleck. As he faces rejection in social and romantic relationships, his violent alter ego, Joker, emerges. This leads him to become a beloved anti-hero figure in popular culture.

Phoenix received an Oscar for his acting in the movie, which also earned over $1 billion in ticket sales. This made it the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time. Deadpool & Wolverine has since surpassed this record.

The next installment will premiere in theaters on October 4, 2024, marking five years since the first movie came out.