Joker: Folie à Deux, and it seems that audiences may be ready for a new adaptation of the character. Created in 1992 by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini for Batman: The Animated Series, the character has since become one of DC's most popular characters ever.
With Margot Robbie set for other comic book movies, the character's future in the DC Universe is unclear. However, many projects, from Birds of Prey to the animated Harley Quinn to Batman: Caped Crusader have worked hard to reinvent Harley's lore and place in the DC Universe. Rather than a stunted girlfriend, Harley Quinn has become a hero or villain in her own right. With comments made by the director and the trailer's look, it appears that the trend of reinvention will continue with Folie à Deux.
Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn Is A Fan Of Arthur Fleck
Some Character Elements Remain The Same For Harley Quinn
The Harley Quinn introduced in Joker: Folie à Deux still shares some similarities with her comic book and animated series counterpart, especially in that she is a fan of the Joker, or in this case, Arthur Fleck. ing him in Arkham, Harley sees a great deal of herself and inspiration in Arthur Fleck and gloms onto him as a result. This leads the two to become romantically connected throughout the film as they sing and dance onstage.
The relationship between Joker and Harley is important to how the character is constructed, although the filmmakers wanted to make something more grounded. Despite this history and the apparent intimacy that forms between the characters, the relationship is less cartoony in order to match the tone from the first film. Instead, Harley's affection for Joker is a more grounded obsession that could become dangerous. The relationship may be more deadly and scary than in previous iterations.
Harley Quinn's New Origin Explained
The Character's Backstory Has Been Completely Changed In Joker 2
The original origin of Harley Quinn saw Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, being manipulated by her patient, The Joker, and falling in love with him. Joker: Folie à Deux, where the two are instead put on equal footing. Harley Quinn, referred to as Lee Quinzel in the film, is another patient at Arkham State Hospital. This alters the power dynamic between the two and Joker's manipulation tactics.
This all leads to a familiar dynamic in the film between the two characters while also giving them both what they can perceive to be a soulmate in the other. They are both ionately disturbed and lonely people looking for connection. Harley Quinn sees much of herself, or what she wishes to be, in what Joker has become. Being trapped in a shared madness, as referred to in the title of the film, allows each of the characters to feel uniquely seen and understood by the other.
How Harley Quinn Differs From DC Comics
This New Take On Harley Quinn Differs From The Comics And Animated Series
Todd Phillips intended to strip away Harley Quinn's comics identity with the film, creating something that made more sense within this Joker's universe. Speaking with Variety, the director said: "The high voice, that accent, the gum-chewing and all that sort of sassy stuff that’s in the comics, we stripped that away." As a result, the Harley Quinn that appears in the film is faithful to the core tenets of the character without some of the cartoonish elevations.
The character is still infused with the same madness and danger. However, there are components of Harley's style that didn't make much sense in the world of Gotham as realized in the latest film. Despite filling the Joker film with Batman characters, this Gotham is supposed to feel real and lived in, and many of the abilities and styles of certain villains have had to be tweaked. Removing some of these details makes this Harley Quinn feel more real and potentially even more terrifying.
Joker 2 Can Deliver On A 16-Year-Old Misdirect From The Dark Knight
Joker: Folie a Deux will include a significant Batman character who has a classic comic book moment that was teased in The Dark Knight.
It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to this new iteration of Harley Quinn when Folie à Deux is released in theaters in October. However, much about the character is faithful to the source material with some suitable twists that allow this Harley Quinn to be a perfect counterpoint to this Joker. Lady Gaga has proven herself to be an excellent performer, and the prospect of her being beside Arthur in Joker: Folie à Deux is extremely promising.
Source: Variety
Joker: Folie a Deux
- Release Date
- October 4, 2024
- Runtime
- 138 Minutes
- Director
- Todd Phillips
Cast
Arthur Fleck
Lee Quinzel
WHERE TO WATCH
Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips' critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker's lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.
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