A new shot from the set of Joker: Folie à Deux (aka Joker 2) now gives eager fans a fresh look at Lady Gaga's take on Harley Quinn in the upcoming sequel. Based on the image and the vibe of 2019's Joker, she'll seemingly offer viewers a delightfully unhinged take on the already chaotic clown.A previous look at Gaga's Harley Quinn with Joaquin Phoenix already teased what audiences can expect when the duo finally share the screen in Joker 2. But while that one boasted a much more cinematic look, it was too close and tight for a proper gander at the new character. This time, thanks to a set photo, things are a bit less official but also far clearer. For the sequel to a movie that detailed one man's descent into madness, that seems oddly on-brand.The photo, posted by the Twitter account Pop Base, shows Gaga on the street by a car giving the camera a wide-eyed look. It's a look that could mean anything from "I'm Dr. Harleen Quinzel, and I've lost all control of my mind" to "please leave me alone, paparazzi person." But given her makeup job that accentuates the deer-in-headlights vibe, odds are this process. She certainly looks the part, and it makes the anticipation to see her version of the character all the more intense.
Rumors have been swirling, suggesting that Joker 2 will significantly change Harley Quinn's backstory. That would certainly line up with how the first Joker film went its own way with the titular Clown Prince of Crime. Plus, it would also be a nice change of pace. Harley's first appearance in Batman: The Animated Series and many since revolved around her obsession with the Joker to the point where the two demonstrated the very definition of an abusive relationship. That didn't stop her from being a breakout character who moved on to getting her own comics.
Subsequent versions have offered different takes on the formula, including the brilliant HBO Max animated Harley Quinn series. But the common throughline is that, even with the ones focusing on Harley as an independent character, they tend to use her relationship with the Joker as a jumping-off point. Given the previously mentioned rumors, maybe that will change this time around. Perhaps her position as a talented psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum will be played up more to demonstrate how Arthur/Joker's influence can topple even the most sound of minds.
However things turn out, it will be intriguing to see this new version of the character. Folks involved with Joker 2 have said that Gaga is perfect for the role of Harley Quinn, so fans have some fun things to look forward to. That's not even to mention that the movie is apparently a musical. At this point, Gaga seems almost like a requirement.
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to release in theaters on October 4th, 2024.
Source: Pop Base/Twitter