Joker 2 Trailer Confirms Major Theory About How Musical Elements Fit Into The DC Movie

The first trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux has been released by Warner Bros., confirming a major theory about the sequel’s new musical elements. Starring Joaquin Phoenix returning as Arthur Fleck, the titular Joker will be joined by Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn. To that end, the trailer quickly establishes that Arthur and Haley will be joined in the same musical deviations from reality.

Set to be released in October 2024, Joker: Folie à Deux will continue the events of the first movie from director Todd Phillips. This looks to include the continued hallucinations of Arthur Fleck who became the Joker and was later incarcerated after seemingly inspiring a massive riot throughout the streets of Gotham City. To that end, it appears as though Gaga’s Quinn will be joining Joker in his detachment from reality, albeit with the new addition and greater focus on song and musical numbers.

Joker 2’s Musical Elements Are Part Of Joker & Harley Quinn’s Shared Delusion

A Musical Rejection Of Reality

As seen in the opening scenes of Joker 2’s first trailer, Arthur Fleck is still being held in Arkham. As he’s escorted through the psychiatric facility’s halls by two guards, Joker sees Harley Quinn in another room attending what appears to be musical group therapy. Likewise, the off-screen comment is made regarding the use of music and its intended ability to heal:

“We use music to make us whole. To balance the fractures within ourselves.”

Instead, it appears as though Harley and Arthur will end up using music to motivate each other’s psychological challenges with a shared delusion of song. This is very apparent through the various shots seen in the new trailer, many of which see Joker and Harley dancing and singing on stages and sets. This includes the duo dancing on the roof of the notable “Hotel Arkham” (rather than the institution it truly is).

Joker 2’s Explanation Of Its Musical Elements Was In the Title All Along: Folie À Deux Meaning Explained

The Movie’s Biggest Clue

Of course, this shared delusion of music has been teased in the title of the Joker sequel from the very beginning. After all, “Folie à Deux” is French for “sharing a delusion among two or more people in a close relationship“, otherwise known as Shared Delusional Disorder. To that end, it looks as though the respective mental struggles belonging to Arthur and Harley will likely compound and merge once they’re brought into close proximity, taking the form of various musical numbers as a likely means to cope and balance a more stark reality.

The idea of various musical numbers with singing and dancing is certainly a new convention and an exciting departure from Phillips’ first Joker movie. As such, it will more than likely help show how the introduction of Harley in Arthur’s life will change him, perhaps motivating an even deeper descent into the chaotic identity that is Joker. Furthermore, music is always a strong means of depicting romance on-screen, even ones as infamously dysfunctional as Joker and Harley’s.

How Much Of The Joker 2 Will Be A Musical?

There Will Be Several Songs And Performances

It’s since been revealed that Joker: Folie à Deux will be a jukebox musical, meaning that the movie will largely feature dynamic covers of pre-existing songs. As such, it should be very exciting to learn which romance hits and duos will be performed by Gaga and Phoenix. Likewise, it’s been reported that the Joker2 will include around 15 songs and likely more original tracks as well.

All in all, it’s not a stretch to imagine that Lady Gaga will write at least one original song for the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux. However, that’s just conjecture and has yet to be officially confirmed. At any rate, the Joker sequel promises to provide a unique take on a musical feature, using song and dance to convey Joker and Harley’s developing romance and shared delusion as they evolve into the newest iteration of one of DC Comics’ most chaotic and volatile couples.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips’ critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker’s lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.

Director

Todd Phillips

Release Date

October 4, 2024

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Todd Phillips , Scott Silver

Franchise(s)

Joker