Joker: Folie à Deux is one of the most anticipated films of the year and the time to unleash it at Showcase Cinemas is coming up fast.

Rightly, much about the movie has been kept under wraps, but what we do know is that Arthur Fleck is institutionalised at Arkham, awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.

Director Todd Phillips has spoken of Joaquin Phoenix’s desire to return again as Joker. The actor had a dream during the making of Joker (2019), whereby he envisioned his character on stage, in full makeup dancing and singing, his jokes proving to be a hit with the audience. But instead of a film, why not Broadway? 

His first telephone call in the morning was to Phillips, asking if the director would return to once again to direct the stage show when they completed their first movie together.  

Joker (2019) went on to earn more than a billion dollars at the worldwide box-office and receive 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Phillips. The film would ultimately win two Oscars including Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix.

The idea of Phoenix treading the boards was ditched and instead Phillips sat down with his screenwriting partner, Scott Silver, and plotted a big screen return for the Joker to Gotham City. 

Phoenix’s song and dance routine remained in Joker: Folie à Deux, where instead of battling Batman, we see Joker performing alongside Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel / Harley Quinn. As the bond ignites between Joker and Quinn, we see the pairing perform musical standards such as ‘Get Happy’, ‘For Once In My Life’ and ‘That’s Life’. Yes, it’s a stunningly new reimagining.

Phoenix is quick to point out that he does not feel Joker: Folie à Deux is a musical, saying it was “important to me that we never perform the songs as one typically does in a musical. We didn’t want vibrato and perfect notes.”     

It has certainly captured our imagination here at Showcase and we are so excited to see what Phoenix, Gaga and Phillips have in store for us.

Joker: Folie à Deux also stars Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)) and Catherine Keener (Get Out (2017), Capote (2005)), alongside Zazie Beetz, reprising her role from Joker (2019). 

Joker: Folie à Deux opens at Showcase Cinemas on October 4, with tickets available now!