Lady Gaga in Talks for Joker Sequel Opposite Joaquin Phoenix
Early reports suggest that pop superstar and actress Lady Gaga is in discussions to join Joaquin Phoenix in the forthcoming sequel to Todd Phillips’ breakout film Joker. While the specifics of her role have not been confirmed, industry speculation centers on the possibility that she could portray a character closely associated with the Joker’s arc—potentially Harley Quinn, the psychiatrist-turned-partner-in-crime who has become one of the character’s most recognizable companions in comic lore and film.
If Lady Gaga does portray Harley Quinn, this would represent a separate live-action incarnation from Margot Robbie’s portrayal in the DC Extended Universe, which includes three films such as The Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey. The Joker franchise directed by Todd Phillips exists as a standalone universe distinct from the DCEU, meaning any new casting would be its own interpretation rather than a continuation of previously established cinematic portrayals.
Gaga brings a proven cinematic pedigree and musical background to the potential role. She previously collaborated with Joker writer-director Todd Phillips when he produced the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born, in which Gaga earned critical praise and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She most recently took a highly visible supporting role in Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, a performance that received awards attention including Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA nominations. Her combination of dramatic range and musical credentials makes her a natural candidate for a role that may incorporate song and performance.
Multiple sources indicate that the upcoming Joker sequel is being developed as a musical, expanding upon the first film’s brief but memorable musical moments—most famously, the scene in which Arthur Fleck dances down a long flight of stairs. If the sequel embraces musical storytelling more fully, casting a world-class singer like Lady Gaga would align with that creative direction. Gaga’s Academy Award–winning song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born demonstrated her crossover appeal and success in film music, and Joaquin Phoenix has prior experience performing musically on screen, having portrayed Johnny Cash in Walk the Line and delivering the songs live in that role.
Director Todd Phillips formally announced that a sequel was in development via social media, teasing the potential title Joker: Folie à deux, a phrase that references a psychiatric condition involving shared delusions between two people. That suggested title lends narrative weight to rumors that the film could center more closely on a relationship between Joker and a significant second character—fuel for the conjecture that Gaga’s role, if confirmed, might be integral to the film’s psychological and emotional core.
The original Joker was a major commercial and awards success for Warner Bros., becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time with a global box office total exceeding $1.07 billion. The film also received widespread awards recognition, leading to 11 Academy Award nominations and wins for Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and Best Original Score (Hildur Guðnadóttir). Given that success, studio interest in a sequel is unsurprising, and the potential addition of a high-profile star such as Lady Gaga could help position the follow-up for both box office impact and awards consideration.
At present, neither Lady Gaga nor Warner Bros. have confirmed casting or production details, and no official release date has been announced for the sequel. Fans and industry observers are watching closely for further announcements about casting, the creative team, and whether the film will indeed lean into musical elements and the suggested title Joker: Folie à deux.