The sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, continues the story of Arthur Fleck as he faces the repercussions of his actions from the first film. Despite being released after the original Joker achieved significant critical and commercial success, director Todd Phillips explained the driving force behind this highly anticipated sequel.

Todd Phillips Shares His Affection for Arthur Fleck

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Phillips revealed that his admiration for the character of Arthur Fleck inspired him to create another Joker film. According to the director, both he and lead actor Joaquin Phoenix felt a profound sadness when the original film’s shooting wrapped up. They didn’t want to leave the character’s story unfinished, believing there was still much more to explore.

Phillips stated, “After the first Joker, Joaquin and I were genuinely very sad. We were really sad… We didn’t want it to end.” He added, “It wasn’t just because we enjoyed working together, but because we didn’t want to part ways with Arthur… We loved Arthur, and we connected with that character. Simply put, we wanted to spend more time with him.”

Although Arthur Fleck commits horrific acts, such as murdering his mother, Penny Fleck, and talk show host Murray Franklin in the film, Phillips insisted that the character possesses much more than just a propensity for murder.

The director noted that considering Arthur’s violent upbringing, his longing for true love, and his rebellion against a society that constantly rejects him, he has some redeeming qualities. Phillips elaborated:

“The character had issues. That’s obvious… But there’s a light, a beauty, and a romance within him. This has been a topic Joaquin and I have discussed from the very beginning. Yes, he struggles to fit into that world. However, there’s romance in him just as much as there is music.”

What are your expectations for Joker: Folie à Deux?