The upcoming film “Joker: Folie à Deux” promises to captivate audiences with its musical numbers. However, the question remains: how many of these songs will be original tracks? Insiders familiar with the filming process and early versions of Todd Phillips’ highly anticipated sequel to “Joker” reveal that the movie leans heavily toward being a “jukebox musical,” featuring at least 15 reinterpretations of well-known songs. One of these songs is rumored to be “That’s Entertainment” from the 1953 musical “The Band Wagon,” famously associated with Judy Garland. But there’s also a chance for an original song or two to make their way into the final version. Unfortunately, details regarding the songwriters and performers are still unknown. However, sources suggest that Hildur Guðnadóttir, the Oscar-winning composer of the first “Joker” film, will infuse her distinctive and haunting music cues into each number. Warner Bros, when approached for comment, declined to provide any further information.
The Appeal of Jukebox Musicals
Jukebox musicals, known for featuring popular songs, have a history of achieving box office success. Examples of such musicals include “Mamma Mia!” and “Moulin Rouge!,” the latter receiving eight Oscar nominations. “Joker 2” is expected to break the mold of traditional musicals, offering a unique experience for viewers.
The Plot and Cast of “Folie à Deux”
Specific details about the plot of “Folie à Deux” have not been officially confirmed. However, the film is described as a drama with elements taking place in and around Arkham Asylum. Alongside Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, the cast includes Emmy nominee Zazie Beetz from “Atlanta,” as well as Oscar nominees Catherine Keener from “Being John Malkovich” and Brendan Gleeson from “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The screenplay was a collaboration between Todd Phillips and Scott Silver.
A High-Budget Sequel
According to Variety, the budget for the sequel has reached nearly $200 million, a significant increase from the $60 million budget of the original film. “Joker 2” is one of Warner Bros’ most eagerly anticipated releases this year, following the success of Denis Villenueve’s “Dune: Part Two.” Other notable releases from the studio’s lineup include George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (premiering at the Cannes Film Festival), Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters,” Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” and the animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”
Venice Film Festival Premiere?
The first “Joker” movie, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival, grossed over $1 billion worldwide and received 11 Oscar nominations. Early discussions are underway for a potential premiere of “Joker: Folie à Deux” at this year’s Venice Film Festival, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Achievements of the Lead Actors
Joaquin Phoenix won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck in “Joker.” Gaga, a 13-time Grammy winner, has also successfully transitioned to Hollywood, as evidenced by her Oscar win for co-writing the original song “Shallow” for Bradley Cooper’s critically acclaimed “A Star is Born” remake in 2018. Gaga was also nominated for Best Actress that year, making her one of only four individuals in history to receive acting and songwriting nominations simultaneously.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is set to hit theaters on October 4. Stay tuned for more updates about the film!