Joaquin Phoenix Calls ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ a ‘Dangerous’ Sequel

Joaquin Phoenix has revealed that fear has always been a driving force behind his portrayal of Arthur Fleck’s Joker, a role that earned him an Oscar for Best Actor and grossed over a billion dollars at the box office, all while reimagining Batman’s iconic villain. In an interview with Empire Phoenix noted that this element of fear was essential for him to agree to the sequel, saying, “It’s the only way that I can do any movie.”

Also speaking to Empire director Todd Phillips emphasized “That was literally the reason to do it.” Although Folie À Deux picks up right after the events of Joker, with Arthur being sent to Arkham following his on-air murder of talk show host Murray Franklin, Phillips hesitates to label it a conventional sequel.

In the interview with Empire, he explained that Folie À Deux isn’t a typical sequel like Hangover 2; instead, it felt as if they were creating something entirely new.

I don’t think of it as a sequel. Hangover 2 was a sequel, So often a sequel is more of the same, just bigger. Of course [Folie À Deux] is a sequel, but it felt like we were making something entirely different. It’s tonally and inherently something way more different. The first one subverted the expectations of what it was. So how do you do that again?

Todd Phillips | Via | Empire

While Phoenix reflected on his experience portraying Fleck once again, discussing how fear motivated his performance and how he has carried that same intensity into the second movie.

If it doesn’t feel like it’s dangerous, if there’s not a good chance that you’re gonna fail spectacularly then… what’s the point?

Joaquin Phoenix | Via | Empire

We can anticipate Joker: Folie à Deux to continue the fearless and fascinating take on the character. Phillips himself has remarked that the film should feel as if it was created by crazy people, stating, “I always said, early on, the film should feel as if it was made by crazy people. Like the inmates are running the asylum,” adding, “It does feel like a big swing. You just go, ‘Well, fuck it. Why not? What are we all doing here, if not to do that?’”

Joker: Folie à Deux will be in cinemas worldwide October 4.

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