Is Joker: Folie à Deux only the second step in a trilogy? Director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix give their thoughts on a potential sequel.
The first screenings of Joker: Folie à Deux are officially underway. As reactions begin to find their way online, fans are left wondering if this is the end of the line of Joaquin Phoenix’s time as Arthur Fleck. When asked if he’d be interested in returning to the role one more time to complete a trilogy, especially given the harsh diet he undertook for the two films, Phoenix seemed content to lay down his squirting flower for good once this sequel hits theaters.
“I’m not going to talk through specifics of the diet, because I just think nobody wants to hear that,” Phoenix spoke at the Venice Film Festival following the project’s first screening. “But this time, it felt a bit more complicated just because there was so much dance rehearsal that we were doing, which I didn’t have last time. So it felt a bit more difficult, but it is safe. But you’re right, I’m now 49, I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me.”
Some fans may be disappointed to hear that Joaquin Phoenix considers Joker: Folie à Deux to be the final time he’ll play Arthur Fleck. However, others believe that the sequel shouldn’t have been made in the first place, making a full trilogy redundant two times over. While Phoenix could certainly be recast in the role, or another character entirely brought in, it seems the prospects of any creatives behind the project returning are slim.
Director Todd Phillips Gives His Thoughts On Potential Joker Trilogy
Just as Joaquin Phoenix was asked if he’d return as Arthur Fleck, Todd Phillips was asked if he had any plans for a trilogy after this sequel. The director had a very interesting response, teasing a potentially definitive end in Joker: Folie à Deux, before admitting that he feels the story he set out to tell has now fully been told.
“Did you see the movie?” Phillips joked at Venice Film Festival. “Meaning, no- I think that, for me, I won’t speak for Joaquin [Phoenix], that the story of Arthur [Fleck] slash Joker has been told with this film.”
It seems the ending of Joker: Folie à Deux may hold more surprises than fans expected of the sequel. While some may see it as a shame that this beloved billion dollar franchise won’t see the glory of a trilogy, it’s good that Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips are bowing out when they’re still passionate about the story of Arthur Fleck. It’s not like they’d be the first director/actor duo to ride an IP until its dug into the grave!
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the sequel and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!