A mere 1.3 million Instagram followers went absolutely crazy when Lady Gaga posted an “old-timey” style video teaser complete with a gramophone-vintage style rendition of Irving Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek.” The post confirmed rumors that Gaga will appear alongside actor Joaquin Phoenix in a sequel to the Oscar-winning 2019 Warner Brothers film Joker. That film received 11 Academy Award nominations, netting Best Original Score and Best Actor for Phoenix. The film was a box office hit, grossing more than $1 billion for Warner Bros.
Set in the DC Comics universe, the film’s name Joker: Folie à Deux, translates to “Joker: Madness for Two.” The French phrase is used in psychiatric hospitals to describe a mental condition that affects two people. In the DC storyline, Joker develops an abusive relationship with Harley Quinn, his psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who falls in love with him and becomes his partner in crime. Rumor has it that Gaga will play Harley Quinn in what may become the blockbuster movie musical we’re all hoping for.
A movie musical wouldn’t be a far stretch as the film’s director Todd Phillips also directed the 2018 remake of A Star is Born with Gaga and Joker producer Bradley Cooper in the lead roles. That film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards and won the best song for the Gaga/Cooper duet Shallow. Joker: Folie à Deux releases on October 4, 2024.