A Joker sequel is in the works, but it appears Joaquin Phoenix is still determining his place in the project.
On Instagram, Joker direction Todd Phillips revealed the script for the sequel has been written and Phoenix is reading through it. But according to Deadline, Phoenix has already read the script; he’s just waiting for the proper salary to seal the deal.
The first Joker is still the highest R-rated movie of all-time, bringing in $1.07 billion worldwide along with 11 Oscar nominations (with two wins). It’s safe to say the antihero film was a big hit, so Phoenix, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role of Arthur Fleck, seems to be waiting until he can secure appropriate financial compensation for the sequel.
Phillips revealed the sequel is currently titled Joker: Folie à deux, which is the French phrase referencing a mental disorder which affects two or more people.
There’s no word yet on which new characters will make a film in the sequel, but DC has plenty of options to choose from. The motion picture side of DC has ramped up their coverage in recent years, from The Suicide Squad and The Batman to the HBO Max series Peacemaker. DC is clearly trying to catch up with the MCU, and their recent ventures have proven to be successful. The Batman is the second highest grossing movie of the year to date with $770.3 million, and a sequel is already in the works.
While fans wait to see the return of Phoenix’s Joker, they can look forward to plenty of new and upcoming films from DC: Black Adam starring Dwayne Johnson in October, Shazam! Fury of the Gods starring Zachary Levi in December, and The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom next year.
