Joker: Folie à Deux Director Says Team Would Re-Write Scenes on Napkins Before Shooting

As a die-hard fan of the Batman universe, I must say that the upcoming movie “Joker: Folie a Deux” has piqued my curiosity to no end. The behind-the-scenes account of its production sounds like a rollercoaster ride, with Todd Phillips and his stars, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, rewriting the script on the fly, often in Joaquin’s trailer or even on a napkin!

As a passionate gamer, I’m eagerly awaiting the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” in theaters next month. Given its predecessor was one of the highest-grossing R-rated films ever, this sequel is bound to stir up some controversy. The weight of that film’s complex legacy and the pressure to deliver a worthy follow-up to such a success lies heavily on Todd Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix, and Lady Gaga as they embarked on making the second installment of “Joker”. It seems they were well aware of the challenge at hand, as they meticulously fine-tuned the script right up until filming began.

As a gamer, I can tell you from my own experience, during the production process, we’d frequently make significant changes on the fly, much like a game developer tweaking the rules mid-match. Gaga, our director, was open about this. Now, Phillips, he wasn’t as vague but did acknowledge that there were numerous adjustments made – sometimes, in a pinch, even scribbled down on a napkin when nothing else was available.

“Joaquin’s trailer was our frequent hangout spot, and quite frequently, we’d discard the script and begin anew. It was a unique, freeing experience,” Lady Gaga explained to Vogue.

Phillips commented, “Regarding Joaquin, he’s like the beacon of hope at the end of the tunnel.” He explained, “You might think, ‘This scene is good, let’s just film it.’ But Joaquin insists, ‘Let’s discuss it first,’ and before you know it, we’re three hours deep in revisions, sketching ideas on a napkin.”

In the first film, Arthur was on his way to Arkham Asylum, while in the second movie, he will encounter Lee Quinzel, another patient with whom he develops a unique connection. Unlike the usual Joker and Harley Quinn dynamic, where the Joker manipulates his therapist and eventually drives her insane, this new interpretation is less devious.

First introduced in “Batman: The Animated Series,” Harley Quinn initially served as a sidekick to the Joker. However, she evolved into a unique character in the comics, especially during DC’s 2011 “New 52” reboot. During this period, she starred in her own comic book series, written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, which helped shape many of her enduring traits seen in modern adaptations. Since then, she has appeared in three live-action movies – “Suicide Squad,” “Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn,” and “The Suicide Squad” – and a well-received animated series on Max.

Joker: Folie a Deux is set for an October 4 release date.

2024-09-06 16:10

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