Audiences can now finally get their first official look at Lady Gaga as a live-action Harley Quinn in Todd Phillips' upcoming sequelJoker: Folie à Deux. Starring alongside Joaquin Phoenix, she looks just as delightfully unhinged as one would expect of The Joker’s infamous paramour.
AfterGaga previously teased her first days of filmingin January, fans have been understandably eager to see just how she’ll look in the role of Harley. Now, a new teaser photo features her and Phoenix sharing a rather intimate moment that, presumably, takes place in Arkham Asylum where 2019’sJokerended. Things are about to fly even further off the rails this time around with the two of them joining up.
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Gaga herself posted the pictureon her Instagram, offering only the film’s title in the caption along with a jester cap emoji. That particular imagery has been famously associated with the character of Harley Quinn since her first appearance inBatman: The Animated Series. But this inspires the question: how much of Gaga’s look and performance will be based on past versions of Harley compared to brand new stuff? Well, at least one star with the right experience seems confident.
Margot Robbie previously shared her own thoughts on Gaga’s casting, stating that she was happy knowing that Harley had become a character being passed around from great actor to great actor. That focus on variety could indicate that Gaga was cast precisely with a different take in mind. Robbie, who notably played Harley inBirds of PreyandThe Suicide Squad, offered her own spin on the character that combined classic vibes with a fresh style of energy. So she likely knows what to look for, as doesJoker 2cinematographer Lawrence Sher, whocalled Gaga the perfect choice to play Harley.
2019’sJokersaw Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a struggling clown and stand-up comedian who suffers a descent into untreated mental illness and nihilism. Through a series of elevating incidents, he inspires a violent revolution in a run-down Gotham City, eventually ending up in Arkham after murdering a talk show host live on television. Based on the asylum setting, it seems probable that Gaga will portray the origins of Harley Quinn, starting out as skilled psychiatrist Dr. Harleen Quinzel before falling in love with The Joker and slipping into madness herself.
Some might argue thatHarley Quinn doesn’t fit into this version of The Joker’s story. But to be fair, this is sort of uncharted territory. It’s an entirely new take on the characters, so even if Harley as she’s known doesn’t fit, then Harley as played by Gaga can still very well mesh with this world. Either way, fans will have to wait quite a while longer to finally see if it all works.
Joker: Folie à Deuxis set to premiere in theaters on October 4th, 2024.
