Joker 2’s First Look Reveals Joaquin Phoenix in Arkham

Warner Bros. Discovery is bringing major new changes to the DCU, but Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, who exists in an Elseworlds-reality, remains safe in his little psychotic bubble. In fact, Todd Philips, who directed the 2019 movie and is returning for the upcoming sequel, just shared the first look of Joker: Folie á Deux with Arthur in Arkham Asylum.

The upcoming film, which still needs to fix a release date, will see the return of Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck, whose transformation into the Joker went so well in the 2019 film. Few details are known about the sequel, but we know it’ll be like a musical and will star Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.

Todd Philips shared a BTS image of Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck imprisoned in Arkham Asylum after the last film’s events. The image offers a moody look at Phoenix and teases the setting for the first meeting of the Joker and Dr. Harleen Quinzel, who we know better as Harley Quinn.

You can view the photos as shared by Philips on Instagram below:

Instagram Post

With the upcoming sequel having double the original budget, we can expect a much grander affair for Joker: Folie á Deux. New cast additions include Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lewtey, whose roles haven’t been disclosed.

Joker 2 Director Shares BTS Image Revealing Phoenix in Arkham — Joker (2019)

Now that production is underway for DCU’s first venture into the musical film genre, we can expect some more BTS images and stories from the cast members. We’re hoping to see our first look at Gaga’s Harley Quinn, even if it’s in her psychiatrist persona.

Since the film has only just begun filming in late 2022, we expect it to run through mid-2023, setting a probable release window in the first quarter of 2024.