The first trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux debuted during CinemaCon last night before being released online, giving us an intriguing glimpse of some footage from Todd Phillips' DC "Elseworlds" sequel.
In a change to the usual character dynamic, it's revealed that Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) meets Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) as a fellow patient in Arkham Asylum, and it looks like she'll be the one asserting influence over him.
The loved-up pair plan their escape, and we get to see some shots from those much-discussed musical numbers - though nobody actually sings a word.
During the CinemaCon panel, Phillips downplayed the musical elements somewhat.
"We never really talked about it like that, but I like to say it's a film where music is an essential element. To me, that doesn't veer too far from the first film. Arthur [Fleck]'s weird and aloof and all these things, but he has music in him. He has a grace to him. That informed a lot of the dancing in the first film. It didn't feel like that big of a step here. It's different, but I think it'll make sense when you see it."
Though not yet confirmed, it's believed that these song and dance sequences will actually be part of the shared delusions experienced by Joker and Harley (hence the title), which could explain why Phillips is hesitant to describe the film as a straight-up musical.
As for the casting of pop megastar-turned actress Lady Gaga as Quinn, it sounds like it was a no-brainer for the filmmaker.
"We cast Gaga because she's magic. I was a producer on A Star Is Born. That was the first time I really met her and got to watch her work. As we were writing this script, Scott [Silver], who I wrote it with, kept going back to her."
Have another look at the trailer below.
Whatever form the songs take, we have heard that the soundtrack will be "heavily inspired" by classic Liza Minnelli musicals such as Cabaret, New York, New York, and That's Entertainment.
We still don't know if Lady Gaga is actually writing the soundtrack, but we'd say there's a decent chance she'll pen at least one song for the movie.
In addition to Phoenix and Gaga, Joker 2 will see the return of Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond, along with new cast members Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland and Harry Lawtey in undisclosed roles.
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024. It's been rated R for, “some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity.”