Just in case you weren't involved in all the hype, the sequel to Joker came out yesterday.
Ever since its release, fans have been quick to share their thoughts on the long-awaited teaser, with the same question ringing around on social media.
In fact, one fan said that they 'f**king hate' the changes.
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Here's the trailer, in case you missed it:
If you didn't notice, it does look like there'll be a strong musical element in the sequel, titled Joker: Folie à Deux.
There are numerous shots in the trailer that show the Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker (Joaquin Phoenix), dancing and singing with Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), who has been introduced as the titular character's love interest.
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The trailer even scenes where the two perform to an audience at a club, dance around on a rooftop, and waltz through the streets of Gotham City.
It has naturally led fans to believe that the DC film could very well be a musical, especially given the involvement of Grammy-winning Lady Gaga.
Director Todd Phillips has recently come out and spoken about these rumours though, answering fans' questions.
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The 53-year-old filmmaker spoke at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday night (9 April), after he was questioned about the musical elements seen in the trailer for Folie à Deux (which translates to Madness for Two), and if it really will be a musical.
Phillips explained to Entertainment Weekly: “We never really talked about it like that, but I like to say it’s a film where music is an essential element,
“To me, that doesn’t veer too far from the first film.”
He also highlighted to films that all of it will 'make sense' when they sit down and watch the movie.
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Phillips continued: “Arthur [Fleck]’s weird and aloof and all these things, but he has music in him. He has a grace to him,
“That informed a lot of the dancing in the first film. It didn’t feel like that big of a step here. It’s different, but I think it’ll make sense when you see it.”
The trailer shows Fleck continuing to terrorise Gotham City, but with Harley Quinn now at his side.
She has previously been depicted as psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel, who becomes romantically obsessed with the Joker, joining his life of crime.
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Fans are still unaware of how closely the sequel will follow the characters' origin story, though it looks like the two meet at a psychiatric ward before running away together.
The first film, released in 2019, looked at the mental decline of Arthur Fleck, an aspiring comedian, with the violent Joker persona emerging after being rejected in all aspects of his life.
Joker details how the man becomes a cult anti-hero, long before the days of Batman.
It was rated highly and highly-anticipated, though the success after its release was unexpected, as Phoenix won an Oscar for his portrayal of the character, with Joker going on to gross $1.08 billion (£856 million) at the box office, making it the most profitable R-rated movie ever made.
Joker: Folie à Deux will be released in theatres on 4 October 2024, five years to the day after the first film came out.
Topics: DC Comics, Film, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker, Lady Gaga, TV and Film, News
Joshua Nair