The 81st Venice Film Festival reached a crescendo with the premiere of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’, the highly anticipated musical sequel to the 2019 Oscar-winning film ‘Joker’. Starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, the film has generated significant buzz for its unique approach to the DC universe.Director Todd Phillips revealed that the idea to incorporate music into the sequel was conceived during the filming of the first ‘Joker’. The film features fantastical jukebox musical numbers, including songs by the Bee Gees and Billy Joel, chosen to evoke the type of music Arthur may have listened to with his mother. Both Gaga and Phoenix insisted on singing live during musical scenes, with Phoenix stating, ‘every part of the recording was live’.The stars underwent significant physical transformations for their roles. Phoenix, now 49, lost weight for the part, though he was reluctant to discuss specifics, saying, ‘I probably won’t do it again at 49 years old’. Gaga also underwent a physical transformation, with Phoenix noting, ‘When you came back, you had lost a lot of weight. It was really impressive’.At the festival, Gaga made a striking appearance in a classic black velvet dress, paired with a black beret and sunglasses. The 38-year-old singer-turned-actress expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, ‘The first movie excited me with its look at the misunderstood people of society’.’Joker: Folie à Deux’ is set for release on October 2-4, 2024, and is competing for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion. As the festival continues, the film’s unique blend of psychological thriller and musical elements has positioned it as a strong contender, with Phillips admitting, ‘It’s easier to win with a new film’.
Key points
- ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’, starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
- The film is a musical sequel, featuring live singing performances by both lead actors.
- Both Gaga and Phoenix underwent significant physical transformations for their roles.
- The movie is competing for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
