‘Joker 2’ confirmed as Joaquin Phoenix is spotted reading the script
The anticipated sequel to the 2019 smash was confirmed by director Todd Phillips
By Sam Moore
Joaquin Phoenix has been spotted reading the script for the sequel to Joker, the first official confirmation of its development.
Director Todd Phillips posted a picture to his Instagram account of the actor sat on a balcony smoking while reading the screenplay.
Phillips also posted the cover of the script which was co-written with Scott Silver.
The post also revealed the title as ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’.
The first ‘Joker’ movie released in 2019 was a retelling of the infamous Batman villain. Played by Phoenix, it portrayed the Joker as an anti-hero who is a struggling comedian named Arthur Fleck.
‘Joker’ was an unexpected commercial and critical success earning 12 Oscar nominations with wins for Phoenix for Best Actor and Hildur Guðnadóttir for Best Original Score.
The film also grossed over $1bn worldwide despite not being positioned as a traditional blockbuster.
‘Joker’ was intended to be a stand-alone film but its success prompted Warner Bros to soon after begin talks on a sequel.
Since the release of ‘Joker’, Warner Bros have released ‘The Batman’ which is not intended to share the same universe.
In the recent blockbuster, in which Robert Pattinson plays the Caped Crusader, Barry Keoghan makes a cameo as a different version of the Joker.
Since winning his Oscar for ‘Joker’, Phoenix has starred in Mike Mills’ acclaimed ‘C’mon C’mon’. His upcoming films include Ari Aster’s ‘Disappointment Blvd’ and Ridley Scott’s biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Phoenix is playing the former French emperor while Vanessa Kirby will play his wife Josephine. ‘Napoleon’ is scheduled to be released by Apple TV+.
Since directing ‘Joker’, Phillips has been working on a biopic of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan with Chris Hemsworth in the lead role.