A few months shy of a year since Lady Gaga officially became Harley Quinn, and now photos reveal her first look as the character in the upcoming Joker 2 (Joker: Folie A Deux). The Todd Phillips’ Joker 2 is titled Joker: Folie à Deux. Literally translated to English as ‘Madness for Two’, it is also a name for a mental disorder affecting two or more individuals.
Aptly used in the sequel title, fans readily know what the movie can be about. With the first movie starring Joaquin Phoenix being a character study of Joker, the sequel will seem to show how his descent to madness brings with him, Harley Quinn.
Lady Gaga’s First Look As Harley Quinn Of Joker 2
READ MORE: Joker 2 Extras Are Reportedly Not Allowed To Use The Bathroom On Set
The much-awaited sequel to Phillips’ Joker now shows Lady Gaga in her full Harley Quinn image as revealed through Variety. The director took to Instagram on Valentine’s Day to share the images. Later, Gaga shared them through her own Twitter account.
It was June last year when the news broke out that Lady Gaga was in talks to portray the Joker-smitten anti-heroine. The character’s history is a notch higher in the ‘interesting’ factor. Never mind her being complex and convoluted, the fact is that the Harley first appeared in the animated series rather than in the comic book pages as most DC characters did.
Paul Dini and Bruce Timm created the character as the comic relief henchwoman for Joker in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. After her debut episode, ‘Joker’s Favor’, she started to get her own fan following. She became a recurring character in the DC Animated Universe as the villain’s sidekick and love interest.
She was the only character who was able to call Joker ‘cupcake’ or ‘hunny bunny’ and lived. However, she also more frequently lovingly referred to him as ‘Mister J’.
It was years later, her animated debut, when she got to appear on the pages of DC Comics. In 1999, she made her first comic book appearance in the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn #1. Her origin story shows her as a former psychiatrist in the Arkham Asylum of Gotham City. Her name is Harleen Quinzel.
During her practice in Arkham Asylum, Dr. Quinzel fell in love with the Joker. And the rest is history.
Using this as inspiration for the upcoming sequel, the title befits what could have transpired between the two. Theirs is also a psychiatric condition. And the movie will still be true to its connection to the character study that is Joker back in 2019.
First Look Of Harley Quinn In Joker 2 By Lady Gaga
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
READ MORE: Joker 2 Will Be Largely Set In Arkham Asylum
The upcoming sequel, currently on schedule for October 2024, is going to be a musical. Naturally, Lady Gaga is the perfect choice. No one questions her musicality; no one would dare. She is also a reputable stage performer, which Harley can happily take advantage of.
The photo already shows clear chemistry with Phoenix’s Joker. The intensity is matched and the streak of madness is already evident in just one image. Even those who doubted the direction of the sequel opting to be a musical, are already shifting their gears in anticipation.
For me, I thought that the title was just that because it is to depict the madness that the Joker shared with Harley. However, learning that it is actually a psychiatric condition made it even more interesting and meaningful. Phillips’ DC Elseworlds film focuses on the psychological descent of the characters.
With no hero in sight and no one to pull them from the bottomless downward spiral, what can people expect from two suffering Gotham City souls? How far down can they go as they pull each other further into the depth of mental despair?
What do you think of the first look of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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