Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga Star in Wild Musical Madness: ‘Joker 2’ Trailer Revealed!

On Tuesday, Warner Bros. unveiled the initial trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.

The preview was showcased during an event applauding its forthcoming film line-up at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Shortly after, the trailer was made available online.

The approximately 2-minute sneak peek reveals Phoenix’s Joker and Gaga’s Harley Quinn breaking free from a psychiatric hospital. Their journey involves a passionate, tumultuous love affair set to the backdrop of Tom Jones and Sammy Davis Jr.’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”

“Music is our wholeness, it bridges our internal fractures,” comments Arthur Fleck, Phoenix’s character, also recognized as Joker, during the trailer.

Gaga’s character, Harleen Francis Quinzel, declares, “I’m insignificant. I haven’t accomplished anything significant like you have.”

Unlike “Joker” from 2019, which was a commercial success and bagged two Oscars, including best actor, the much-awaited sequel to the Batman antagonist backstory is regarded as a musical. However, this might not be immediately apparent from the trailer, which does not include any singing – this follows a recent pattern where entertainment firms appear hesitant to promote movie musicals as such (examples include: “Wonka” and “Mean Girls”).

During the Warner Bros. event, Todd Phillips, the director of “Joker” and “Joker: Folie à Deux,” depicted the forthcoming film as “a movie where music plays a pivotal role.”

“In my viewpoint, that doesn’t deviate much from the first film,” Phillips expressed.

Phillips elaborated, “Arthur is strange, detached, and remote… but he possesses a musicality and grace. That aspect influenced much of the dancing in the initial film. It also shaped Hildur’s [Guðnadóttir] exquisite score in the first film. Hence, it didn’t feel like a significant leap. What we have done here is distinct, but I believe it will resonate once you watch it.”

During the event, Phillips also expressed his gratitude to theater owners for persevering with the screening of “Joker” in 2019, despite “unusual warnings” concerning the potential for the comic book adaptation to incite real-world violence.

Phillips stated, “It was remarkable that the exhibitors held their ground, remaining unflinching. The movie was released and achieved enormous business, and that steadfastness significantly contributed to our tremendous success… It’s a tad late, but I am thankful.”

Other Warner Bros. productions teased during Tuesday’s event included “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Mickey 17” and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” The upcoming “Joker” film is set to hit theaters on Oct. 4.