The follow-up to Todd Phillips’ smash hit Joker is already generating buzz, and early casting chatter names pop superstar and actress Lady Gaga as a potential co-star opposite Joaquin Phoenix.
Specifics about Lady Gaga’s role have not been officially confirmed. Many observers speculate she could portray the psychiatrist-turned-lover commonly associated with the Joker mythos, Harley Quinn. If that proves accurate, it would mean two live-action portrayals of Harley Quinn are currently prominent on the big screen: Margot Robbie’s iteration, which has appeared in several films within the core DCEU continuity, and the new version that would exist within the standalone universe of the Joker films. The two portrayals are not intended to be connected, as the original Joker operates outside the shared DCEU timeline.
Gaga previously collaborated with writer-director Todd Phillips when he produced the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born, a film that drew critical praise and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. More recently, she was widely discussed for her performance in Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, a role that received attention from major industry awards bodies. These past performances demonstrate Gaga’s ability to move between music and dramatic acting, which may be a factor in why she is being considered for the new film.
Insiders familiar with early production discussions have suggested that the upcoming sequel will lean into musical elements much more overtly than the first film. While the original Joker included moments that could be described as musical in tone — most notably the now-iconic stair-dance sequence — reports indicate the sequel may embrace a broader musical approach. That creative direction could explain interest in casting a celebrated singer like Lady Gaga. Her success with the song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, underscores her credibility as both a vocalist and an actor in musical contexts. Joaquin Phoenix also has demonstrated musical performance on screen in the past, having portrayed Johnny Cash and performed the songs himself in a previous film role, which suggests musical storytelling could be a strong fit for the project.
Todd Phillips publicly announced the sequel and tentatively teased its title, Joker: Folie à deux, a phrase that refers to a psychological condition involving shared delusions. That suggested title aligns with the idea of a closely entwined character dynamic, which naturally fuels speculation that Gaga’s role could be intimately connected to the Joker’s arc.
The original Joker was a major commercial and awards-season success for Warner Bros., becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film at the global box office and earning wide recognition during awards season, including multiple Academy Award nominations and wins. Given that legacy, studio interest in a sequel is unsurprising. Bringing a high-profile performer with a global pop profile into the cast could bolster the film’s profile and expand its creative possibilities, particularly if the sequel indeed emphasizes music and performance.
At this stage, discussions remain early and no official casting announcement has been made. Likewise, the studio has not released a confirmed production schedule or a release date for the sequel.
As more details are finalized, including casting confirmations and creative direction, further announcements are likely. For now, interest in Lady Gaga for a major role opposite Joaquin Phoenix is an intriguing development that has fans and industry watchers alike paying close attention to the project’s evolution.