Joker: Folie à DeuxThe director recently explained the major differences between Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn and other versions of the character, especially Margot Robbie.
Todd Phillips’ Joker was released in 2019 and gave fans a whole new take on the psychotic clown who was always known to terrorize Batman and Gotham City.
The sequel, set for release on October 4th, continues to pave its own way when it comes to popular DC characters, especially when it comes to Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn.
( Joker 2: First Look at Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn on the Iconic Stairs (Comics))
How Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn differs from previous adaptations
In an interview with Empire Magazine shared in the latest issue, Joker: Folie à Deux director Todd Phillips explained what fans can expect from Lady Gaga when she takes on the role of Harley Quinn in the upcoming film.
While Phillips admitted that Gaga’s version of the character still has some similarities to previous versions of the character, Phillips revealed that at the core of the character, it will be “Gaga’s own interpretation:”
“Even though there are some things about her that people think are familiar, it’s really Gaga’s own interpretation and Scott (Silver’s) and I’s interpretation.”
Phillips then explained it “There are things about Harley in the movie that were taken from the comics” Gaga’s version of the character is based more on people who were obsessed with serial killers like “girls who worshiped” Charles Manson:
“She became the way (Charles) Manson had girls who idolized him. The way sometimes these (convicted murderers) have people who look up to them. There are things about Harley in the movie that were taken from the comics, but we took it and shaped it the way we wanted it to be.”
Other versions of Harley Quinn, like Margot Robbie’s, also deal with the character’s obsession with the Joker, but they didn’t have as much screen presence as Gaga’s.
Joker 2The director then talked about casting Gaga for the role and explained how she was the perfect fit “the music is a big part of the film:”
“I really loved her, her whole vibe, so when Scott and I started writing this with the idea of music being a big part of the movie, we wanted someone who brought the music with her.”
Gaga herself also comments on being a part of the film and explains how it doesn’t fit into one specific genre but is “a psychological thriller, a drama, (and) it’s a tragedy:”
“It’s not one genre, this movie. It’s a psychological thriller, it’s a drama, it’s a tragedy. I’d be hard pressed not to say there’s comedy in it, too, because I think it’s very funny. And it uses music in this extremely nuanced and in a special way, and I saw the needle they were trying to put on when I was reading the script.”
Although Gaga’s version of the character will be much different than other versions (like Margot Robbie’s), she admitted that she made sure she was “aware of all the interesting parts” of the character’s established adaptations:
Of course, I did my best to be aware of all the interesting pieces that came out of developing this character. But I really approached Lee from a place of, “so what This shaking? And what does he bring to Arthur’s life, good or bad?'”
How will Gaga’s Harley Quinn affect Joker 2?
As Todd Phillips explained, Lady Gaga will undoubtedly bring a fresh version of Harley Quinn to the DC universe, especially since the film is the first to really dive into musical elements.
Trailers and stills for the film teased that the Joker and Harley will have a very serious love affair with each other, but as previous adaptations have shown, many fans are left wondering if (or more likely, when) things will turn around. sour.
Even if that happens, fans can expect to see it play out much differently than before.
Another way Gaga’s Harley could be different is the way she interacts with the other characters. In previous edits, Harley has been fairly constant, whether she’s talking to, say, the Joker or complete strangers.
However, in Joker 2she can be completely different in that sense, especially if she’s this obsessive fan of Arthur who really cares about him.
Whatever the case, fans won’t have to wait long to see Gaga perform on screen.
Joker: Folie à Deux opens in theaters on October 4.
Read more about Joker: Folie à Deux:
Joker 2 Cast: DC announces 12 main actors for the sequel
The director ends Joker 2’s musical concerns
New Joker 2 set video reveals spoiler action scene
