Todd Phillips has revealed that Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, has wrapped.
The filmmaker, 52, shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday as he posted photos of the actors as their characters, Harley Quinn and Joker, in the upcoming sequel.
In the post, fans saw Gaga sport Harley Quinn’s quintessential platinum blonde crop, smudged red lipstick and running mascara while Phoenix was shown in full Joker clown makeup looking forlorn.
The director penned alongside the never-before-seen images: “That’s a wrap.
“Thanks to these two (+ the entire cast) and the BEST crew that the film industry has to offer. From top to bottom. Gonna crawl into a cave now (edit room) and put it all together.”
Filming for the highly-anticipated follow-up began in December 2022 in various locations around New York City. Alongside Gaga and Phoenix, the film sees Zazie Beetz star as Sophie Dumond, along with Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener.
The original Joker made a whopping $1 billion at the worldwide box office and earned Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2020.
Originally, Joker was not intended to have a follow-up.
The dark thriller showed Arthur Fleck, an aspiring comedian and clown with a mental illness, becoming increasingly unhinged after he loses access to his medication and his life falls apart. He turns to crime and learns to enjoy his new status within a criminal underworld.
After the first film’s success, Phillips set about work on a second act, having been given the green light from production company Warner Brothers.
It is to be part of the comic book series DC Black – a darker series that does not run in the same universe as the 2022 film The Batman, where the Joker had a bit part at the end.
Folie à Deux means a delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association and could refer to new character Harley Quinn, a psychiatrist who falls in love with Arthur.
However, the film is expected to take a different direction, becoming a full-blown musical, after songs were given prominence in the 2019 film. It is due for release in 2024.
