Joker" Director Todd Phillips Shares Valentine's Day Photos of Film's Hotly Anticipated Stars

Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix is set to reprise his iconic role as the Joker alongside pop icon Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in the upcoming sequel film “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Director Todd Phillips marked Valentine’s Day by sharing a first look at the two stars dancing face-to-face in character.

“Hoping your day is full of love,” Phillips captioned the photos on Instagram. The images provide the first glimpse of Gaga fully transformed into Harley, complete with blond pigtails, heavy eye makeup, and a red-and-black jester costume. She gazes directly at Phoenix’s fully made-up Joker as they waltz together.

Plot details remain tightly under wraps for the drama-musical, which picks up with the Joker after the events of the original 2019 film. What little is known is that much of the action will take place within the walls of Arkham Asylum. Returning cast members include Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond. New additions to the franchise include Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey in undisclosed roles.

Controversy surrounded the launch of the first “Joker” film, but massive box office numbers proved the movie’s success. It became the highest grossing R-rated film ever, raking in over $1 billion globally. Phoenix took home the Academy Award for his unhinged yet vulnerable portrayal of the iconic Batman villain. With the star power of Lady Gaga combined with the first film’s popularity, expectations could not be higher for the sequel.

Harley Quinn has been brought to life in live-action before by Margot Robbie in “Suicide Squad” and “Birds of Prey.” However, Robbie has given Gaga her full blessing to take on the mantle of the wildly unpredictable, baseball bat-wielding antiheroine. “I always wanted Harley to be a character that would get passed on to other actresses to play, the way there are so many iconic male characters,” Robbie told Variety. “The options are endless.”

Oscar-nominated cinematographer Lawrence Sher revealed that Gaga remained deep in character for much of the production. He bonded with the enigmatic star only after addressing her as “Lee,” likely a nickname for Harley. “From that point on, it was like she was…our whole connection changed,” Sher remarked on staying completely in character.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” dances into theaters October 4, 2024 from Warner Bros. With Phoenix and Gaga leading the film, it promises to build beautifully on the dark, gritty world established in the first standalone Joker story.