Will Joker 3 happen? Everything we know

Go Joker 3 happen later Joker: Folie a Deux
? Does the world need more universe built around Joaquin Phoenix's controversial and transformative Arthur Fleck? Rewind to 2019, and the world knew for certain that a sequel would never happen, as director Todd Phillips was adamant that his take on DC's most famous villain should only be a one-off release. But fast forward five years and Phoenix returned as Fleck, with Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn in tow, and a movie turned into a franchise.

Even ignoring the critical reception of Joker: Folie à Deux, It's important to recognize that this is already a billion-dollar franchise and one of the most irresistible character brands in DC history. This makes the possibility of a third entry much more likely and would allow it to do something rare for DC these days, which is approaching a trilogy. Several characters had their series interrupted after two entries, such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman, so Joker 3 joining the ranks of upcoming DC films would be different

Joker franchise box office success

The first was lightning in a bottle

Clown It took the world by storm when it was released in 2019. Not only did it lead to Joaquin Phoenix winning the Oscar for Best Actor, it also became one of the highest-grossing DC films of all time. In truth, at the time of its release, it was the only R-rated film to reach $1 billion at the box office.only to be surpassed by Deadpool and Wolverine five years later. Being such a huge success, all eyes were on a sequel, even though there was never one originally planned.

Fast forward five years since the release of the first film and Joker: Folie à Deux ended up suffering a sharp fall from the heights that its predecessor established. It raised just over US$205 million worldwide (via Mojo Box Office). Despite the massive drop, it's impossible to underestimate the size of the first film Clown in fact it was.

Joker 3 has not been confirmed

It seems unlikely that a third film will happen

Given ClownWith the massive billion-dollar box office success and the rare accolade of the DC film winning an Oscar, you could be forgiven for thinking the plan was to expand into a franchise. ClownArthur's ending set up Arthur's transformation into the “real” Joker and established the origin of Bruce Wayne's Batman in this universe, and both could have developed into a full-fledged cinematic universe, coexisting alongside Matt Reeves. Batman universe and the main line of the DCU.

That being said, There are currently no confirmed plans from Warner Bros or DC Studios to Joker 3. To further contextualize, as Todd Phillips himself revealed, the studio pushed for an immediate sequel after Clownsuccess without prior plans. He spoke to Cinemablend ahead of the sequel's release to confirm this and explain why it took so long:

“They did, as any studio would say, 'Hey, we should do another one.' I understand where that's coming from, but if you remember the timeline, COVID showed up right after Joker or after Joker left for a little bit. [Phoenix] and I started texting and Scott Silver, who I write with, we started talking on the phone every day. So it wasn’t like a eureka moment, it just built and became and was born.”

In terms of business, if Joker: Folie à Deux was even a relative success, another sequel would normally be explored. In fact, in 2019, Phillips discussed the idea of ​​DC Black as a home for Elseworlds-style DC projects, but even with Joker: Folie à Deux's launch, the plans never materialized:

“I said, 'This will be the first movie, and then we'll have this director do this, and this director do this, and we'll call it DC Black, and Joker will be the first movie. In a strange way, that gives you two bites at the apple, on these characters. You can do this kind of dirty character study here, and still do the DC Universe down there, you're not starting a record company here at Warner.'”

Todd Phillips: everything the director said about Joker 3

The director offered several negative updates

To make matters even worse, Todd Phillips spoke to Variety to confirm that he also has no plans to do Joker 3:

“It was fun to play in this kind of sandbox for two films, but I think we've said what we want to say in this world.”

This reaffirmed what he had said in Venice, where the film premiered:

“I don't want to speak for Joaquin, but for me, the story of Arthur/Joker has been told. I can’t say yes or no, but it’s not necessarily my goal to stay in this space.”

Inevitably, it is prudent to consider the fact that Phillips said basically the same thing in 2019, confirming that there were no plans for a sequel:

“We have no plans for a sequel.”[I’ve said]'I'll do anything Joaquin wants to do.' And I would. But the film is not ready for [have] a sequence. We always presented it as one film, and that's it.”

At the Venice Film Festival, Phillips addressed the belated sequel and explained why Joker: Folie à Deux was done:

“We had joked about doing one all along, but if we were really going to do it, it would have to scare him like the first one did..” At first, the idea didn't exist, but years later, the right idea presented itself.

Joker 3 would be more difficult, given the shape Joker: Folie A Deux endsbut even without Todd Phillips' involvement, if the box office demands more and the right idea presents itself, who knows. As Phillips said, he could not say definitively yes or no other than to rule himself out of consideration.

Joker 3 Cast: Who Could Return?

Joaquin Phoenix probably wouldn't return

To get the big question out of the way right away, Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck dies in the final scene of Joker: Folie à Deux thanks to Connor Storrie’s “Young Arrest” (not Ricky, who is played by Jacob Lofland, contrary to some reports). The likelihood of him returning for a sequel, except as an appearance or projection into someone else's twisted mind, is highly unlikely.

There are, however, other members of the Joker: Folie à Deux cast that could return for a sequelif DC Studios decides to make one. Storrie's character, who seemingly becomes a new iteration of the Joker, would be the most logical. He is an almost total unknown (an inspired casting move), having appeared in several shorts and supporting roles, and most recently in 2023. Riley.

Alongside him, Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn survives and there's a path for her to potentially bond with the new Joker as a fellow radicalized “fan” of Arthur. Lady Gaga is also open to the idea, having told Hits radio that she feels there is more to say about Harley:

“I definitely don't feel satisfied with Lee as a character. She has a lot to say. What an interesting girl.

Harry Lawtey's Harvey Dent is also able to return, although he is seriously injured, and both Brendan Gleeson's Arkham guard Jackie Sullivan and Arthur's lawyer Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener) manage to escape alive. Arthur fan Ricky (Lofland) is killed by Sullivan, so he wouldn't return, but Zazie Beetz's Sophie Dumond could if called upon.

Joker 3 Story Details: How Folie A Deux Sets Up A Sequel

The Joker is dead. Long live the Joker.

Both Clown and Joker: Folie à Deux they are fundamentally about the danger of radicalization. Arthur becomes a kind of false idol and a symbol of Gotham's revolt against its corrupt elite class, worshiped by people like Harley Quinn, Ricky and the young inmate who finally kills him. His death, however, is unimportant, because of the strength of his symbol, as the killer proves by effectively adopting the Joker's image for himself.

Although the studio is silent so far and Todd Phillips says he won't return, there is a world where Joker: Folie à Deux's the ending could define the story of Arthur's legacy in Gotham. Connor Storrie's new Joker, effectively stealing the Joker's symbolism because of his disappointment in Arthur, establishes a dangerous new era for Gotham, and it would be interesting to see even more of the impact of that. Especially without a fully formed Batman to restore justice.

Harley potentially aligning herself with the new Joker could also make sense: she's in love with the idea of ​​the Joker rather than the reality of Arthur. In this regard, the search for another radical cause, particularly one that strongly opposes Arthur's admission in his final statement that the Joker is a fantasy, could develop his plot further.

The courtroom explosion also offers something of an alternate origin story for Harvey Dent's transformation into Two-Face. Although his face is not visibly disfigured by the bomb – certainly not to the degree of the DC Comics version of the character – a sequel could explore his transformation into Two-Face as a result of his trauma in Joker: Folie à Deux.

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