Joker 2 definitely had some social responsibility to be less descent-into-irreparable-madness and more solution and compassion-based, but we certainly didn’t expect this specific, rhythmic approach. Word on the street is that Todd Phillips’ Joker 2: Folie A Deux will be a musical co-starring Lady Gaga.

Phillips and his writing partner from the first film, Scott Silver, have passed the script onto the movie’s star Joaquin Phoenix and publicized this all over social media. Following her success in House of Gucci, Lady Gaga is in early talks to play this particular dark corner of DC’s rendition of Harley Quinn, who has historically always had a complex, romantic, and unhealthy relationship with the Joker.

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Though it isn’t official yet, the sheer news is enough to make audiences consider her addition to the cast pretty much a given. As denoted from the title, which references a mental illness that affects two or more persons, the sequel will have the same heavy thematic focus on mental illness as the first movie. Except now, there will be singing?

Honestly, why not. The dancing down the Brooklyn steps scene was popular enough. Why not have that be the whole movie this time around? Joker: Folie A Deux will undoubtedly be as dark and disturbing as the first movie. However, since we are no longer at a point in society where every individual needs to be reminded of the systems’ horrendous shortcomings and more in a place where people need inspiration and solutions to our predicament, we can anticipate that the filmmakers have something special in mind for the sequel.

Apparently, that something special is musical in nature. Here’s why we are hopeful about the sequel and what we can infer so far!

Joker 2 Puts on the Dancing Clown Shoes

     BossLogic

Musician and composer Nick Lutsko, recognizable for his fringe Halloween-themed pieces, has already written the opening song for the aptly named Joker: Folie A Deux. He has also created a gorgeously grotesque video to accompany this feat. Todd Phillips isn’t actually going to use any of this, of course, at least as far as we know. Still, it should prove that audiences are ready for what can only be assumed will be the most memorable musical-horror-riot since Clockwork Orange.

Will it be a musical spoof, specific to a certain era of musicals, like the satire Apple TV + show Schmigadoon!? Will it be its own kind of musical entirely? Most likely, it will stick with the ’70s but draw inspiration from the seminal ’30s and ’40s works that proceed with every modern musical theater endeavor. With the introduction of Gaga as Harley Quinn, it could even have some romantic connotations.

Honestly, why not make this a musical? By the end of the first movie, the Joker, his whole city, and everyone he has ever known has completely unraveled. The door is wide open for endless storytelling possibilities, and much like mirroring the popular attitude, why not throw caution to the wind and make this project? We have yet to see a musical superhero movie in the post-Marvel era.

While Joker: Folie A Deux was the most unlikely candidate, it could work. Folie A Deux translates as “shared madness,” so perhaps the form of madness being shared, spread like a plague, is music. Inappropriately timed, uncomfortable music. As the most recent Stranger Things has taught us, a musical can absolutely save your life, so let’s see what it can do for the Joker for no reason other than, why not?

Can Joaquin Phoenix Sing?

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Of course, Joaquin Phoenix can sing! Joaquin Phoenix can do anything, and audiences will watch it. We must not forget about his biographical triumph Walk the Line, where he played the iconic, troubled country star Johnny Cash alongside Reece Witherspoon and Ginnifer Goodwin. Phoenix had an uncanny ability to sing and play guitar brilliantly in honor of Cash, the former skill which he impressively learned specifically for the role!

There can be no doubt about Lady Gaga’s singing abilities, of course. It could be posited, however, that the character Joker may not sing at all or may not sing until the end of the movie. In a world where Arthur Fleck is off-balance, the odd-man-out, the only one not on the same page as everybody else, why not have him surrounded by musically gifted people singing away while he struggles with his sense of humor?

Whatever Todd Phillips and the producers have chosen to do with the whopping box office success of the first movie, we are looking forward to seeing how they address their hugely significant achievement with a sequel. We will be keenly looking out for updates!