Todd Phillips, the acclaimed director behind the Joker films, has officially announced that he will step away from the DC franchise after the release of Joker: Folie À Deux. In a conversation with SuperHeroHype, Phillips explained that his journey with the Joker story will conclude with the second film, and he does not foresee any further involvement with the series.
“My time in the DC Universe was these two films,” Phillips remarked, reflecting on his experiences directing both Joker and its sequel, Joker: Folie À Deux. He expressed how much he enjoyed working within this universe, stating, “It was fun to play in this sort of sandbox for two movies.” However, Phillips believes the franchise is drawing to a natural close, adding that the films have successfully “said what [they] wanted to say in this world,” suggesting that there’s no need to stretch the story beyond its intended arc.
The upcoming sequel, Joker: Folie À Deux, promises to dive deeper into the psyche of Gotham’s most notorious villain. The film will focus particularly on the Joker’s first encounter with Harley Quinn at Arkham State Hospital. It will explore their twisted relationship as it begins to take root, presenting a new dimension to the Joker’s narrative.
Phillips returns to direct Joker: Folie À Deux, with Joaquin Phoenix reprising his Oscar-winning role as the Joker. In a much-anticipated casting move, Lady Gaga joins the franchise as Harley Quinn, bringing her own unique flair to the character, who is both a love interest and an accomplice in crime.
In addition to Phoenix and Gaga, the film features a stellar supporting cast, including Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Jacob Lofland, among others. The first Joker film was a monumental success, earning over $1 billion worldwide and cementing itself as the highest-grossing R-rated film in cinematic history. With this kind of legacy, the expectations for Joker: Folie À Deux are sky-high, and fans are eager to see how Phillips will bring this dark and twisted chapter of Gotham’s story to a close.
