History of Joker: Folie à Deux in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 2, 2024

"Joker: Folie à Deux" is an upcoming American musical psychological thriller film and the sequel to the Academy Award-winning "Joker" (2019). Directed by Todd Phillips, the film features Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker alongside Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. The plot delves further into the chaotic world of the Joker, exploring his complex relationship with Harley Quinn. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios, "Joker: Folie à Deux" promises another dark and thrilling exploration of this iconic DC Comics villain.

1965: Sammy Davis Jr. and Tom Jones' Rendition of "What the World Needs Now Is Love" Featured in "Joker: Folie à Deux"

The 1965 rendition of the iconic song "What the World Needs Now Is Love" by Sammy Davis Jr. and Tom Jones is prominently featured in "Joker: Folie à Deux." The song's inclusion hints at themes of love, compassion, and the desperate need for connection in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

1992: Introduction of Harley Quinn in "Batman: The Animated Series"

Harley Quinn, a character closely associated with the Joker, made her debut in "Batman: The Animated Series" between 1992 and 1995. This marked the beginning of her presence in the DC universe.

1995: Conclusion of Harley Quinn's Introduction in "Batman: The Animated Series"

Harley Quinn's introduction in "Batman: The Animated Series" concluded in 1995.

August 2019: Initial Sequel Discussions and Clarification

While director Todd Phillips expressed interest in a sequel to "Joker" in August 2019, he also clarified that the film was conceived as a standalone story without a planned sequel.

October 2019: Phoenix's Interest in Reprising the Role and Exploring New Possibilities

In October 2019, Joaquin Phoenix expressed his continued interest in portraying Arthur Fleck, hinting at the potential for further exploration of the character.

November 2019: Conflicting Reports and Phillips' Response on Sequel Development

November 2019 saw conflicting reports regarding the sequel's development. While some sources indicated it was in development, others refuted these claims, leading to a clarification from Phillips that while discussions had occurred, the sequel was not actively being developed at that time.

2019: Release of "Joker"

"Joker," the first film in the series, was released in 2019. It laid the groundwork for the story explored in "Joker: Folie à Deux."

2019: Setting the Stage for "Joker: Folie à Deux"

"Joker: Folie à Deux" takes place two years after the events of its predecessor, "Joker" (2019). This timeframe sets the stage for the events and character development in the sequel.

June 2022: Development Announcement

The sequel to "Joker" officially entered development in June 2022. This marked the beginning of the journey for "Joker: Folie à Deux."

June 2022: Official Announcement and Title Reveal

Todd Phillips officially announced the sequel's development in June 2022, revealing the title to be "Joker: Folie à Deux."

August 2022: Zazie Beetz In Talks to Reprise Her Role in "Joker: Folie à Deux"

In August 2022, news broke that Zazie Beetz was in negotiations to reprise her role as Sophie Dumond in the upcoming "Joker: Folie à Deux." This sparked excitement among fans who enjoyed her performance in the first film.

December 10, 2022: Principal Photography Begins for "Joker: Folie à Deux"

On December 10, 2022, director Todd Phillips took to Instagram to announce the start of principal photography for "Joker: Folie à Deux." He shared a captivating first-look image, marking the beginning of this highly anticipated sequel's production.

December 2022: Start of Filming

Principal photography for "Joker: Folie à Deux" commenced in December 2022, marking the start of the film's production phase.

2022: The Pandemic's Influence and Broadway Sequel Idea

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 prompted Phillips and Phoenix to explore a Broadway stage production as a potential continuation of the "Joker" narrative, though this idea eventually evolved into a feature film sequel.

February 2023: Confirmation as a DC Elseworlds Project

"Joker: Folie à Deux" was confirmed as a DC Elseworlds project in February 2023. This designation placed the film outside the main DC Universe continuity.

March 2023: Filming of "Joker: Folie à Deux" Takes Place in Los Angeles and New York

By March 2023, filming for "Joker: Folie à Deux" had commenced in various locations across Los Angeles and New York. These cities provided the backdrop for key scenes, capturing the gritty and atmospheric aesthetic of the film.

April 5, 2023: "Joker: Folie à Deux" Wraps Filming

After months of anticipation and speculation, filming for "Joker: Folie à Deux" officially wrapped on April 5, 2023. The announcement marked a significant milestone in the production of the film, signaling the completion of principal photography and the transition into post-production.

April 2023: Filming Concludes

Filming for "Joker: Folie à Deux" wrapped up in April 2023, concluding the principal photography phase of production.

April 2023: "Joker: Folie à Deux" Returns to the Iconic "Joker Stairs"

In April 2023, production for "Joker: Folie à Deux" returned to the iconic "Joker Stairs" located on West 167th Street in the Bronx. This staircase gained notoriety for its prominent appearance in the first "Joker" film, becoming a popular destination for fans.

December 2023: James Gunn Reviews Footage from "Joker: Folie à Deux"

In December 2023, James Gunn, co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios, revealed that he had reviewed footage from "Joker: Folie à Deux." Gunn's involvement, albeit in a supervisory capacity, underscored the film's significance within the broader DC universe.

2023: Musical Trend in Film: "Joker: Folie à Deux" Following Suit

In 2023, a notable trend emerged in the film industry, with studios seemingly hesitant to market their musicals as such. "Joker: Folie à Deux" joined the ranks of films like "Wonka" (2023) and "Mean Girls" (2024), blurring the lines between traditional genres and embracing a more nuanced approach to musical storytelling.

April 10, 2024: Teaser Trailer for "Joker: Folie à Deux" Released

On April 10, 2024, a captivating teaser trailer for "Joker: Folie à Deux" was released, sending shockwaves of excitement throughout the film community. The trailer offered a tantalizing glimpse into the dark and twisted world of Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn.

July 25, 2024: Lady Gaga Discusses Her Singing Approach for "Joker: Folie à Deux" in Empire Magazine

On July 25, 2024, Empire magazine released an exclusive cover story featuring Lady Gaga, where she talked about her unique singing approach for the film. She highlighted the difference between her trained vocals and the raw, unstable style adopted for her character, Lee. Director Todd Phillips aimed for a more realistic portrayal of characters spontaneously breaking into song, avoiding a polished, professional sound.

August 20, 2024: Variety Unveils Unique Opening Sequence and Musical Numbers in "Joker: Folie à Deux"

On August 20, 2024, Variety magazine published an exclusive cover story revealing that "Joker: Folie à Deux" would feature a distinctive opening sequence - a Looney Tunes-inspired cartoon animated by Sylvain Chomet, known for his work on "The Triplets of Belleville" (2003). The article also hinted at the film's musical elements, including prison riots, courtroom drama, and a Sonny & Cher-inspired performance by Phoenix and Gaga.

September 4, 2024: World Premiere at Venice Film Festival

"Joker: Folie à Deux" premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Lion award.

October 2, 2024: International Release

The film saw its international release on October 2, 2024, expanding its reach to audiences outside the United States.

October 4, 2024: US Release

"Joker: Folie à Deux" was released in the United States on October 4, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.

2024: Release of "Joker: Folie à Deux"

"Joker: Folie à Deux," a musical psychological thriller directed by Todd Phillips, was released in 2024. It serves as a sequel to the 2019 film "Joker."