Production of the long-awaited “Joker” sequel has officially begun! On December 10, the film’s director Todd Phillips shared a first look photo of actor Joaquin Phoenix returning to action as Arthur Fleck (better known as the Joker).
The photo Phillips shared on Instagram, depicts a shirtless phoenix reclining in a chair as someone prepares to shave it. At the end of the first film Arthur is in an asylum and from the looks of his grim surroundings it seems he could still be there in the sequel. The caption certainly gives nothing away. “Day 1. Our boy. #joker,” Phillips wrote.
Earlier, Phillips gave a first look at the official script for the second film on his Instagram also. The follow-up film, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, will continue the collaboration between writers Phillips and Scott Silver, who first teamed up to create the screenplay for the original Oscar-winning film, Joker.
Alongside announcing the highly-anticipated project, Phillips also posted a picture of Phoenix deep in thought and apparently reading the script, and revealed that he has resigned from his role as the title character in the sequel (the diversity later confirmed.) We also now know which big pop star will be joining the cast (note: she’s previously worked with the “Joker” director).
Joker caused a stir when it was released in 2019, grossing a whopping $1.07 billion at the global box office and receiving 12 Oscar nominations, with Phoenix taking home the best actor award and Hildur Gudnadóttir one Won the Best Original Music Trophy.
Read on to find out everything we know about Joker 2 so far, including casting news, a key plot device and information on Harley Quinn’s possible casting.
— Additional reporting by Eden Arielle Gordon