The release of Joker: Folie à Deux in 2024 reignited conversations not only about Arthur Fleck’s twisted journey but also about the future of the character in this self-contained universe.
With director Todd Phillips returning and Lady Gaga joining Joaquin Phoenix in the sequel, speculation quickly turned toward the possibility of a third installment. But is Joker 3 truly on the horizon, or has the creative team said all they need to say?
The Joker franchise has always stood apart from the broader DC universe. The 2019 original wasn’t designed with sequels in mind, and Phillips has frequently maintained that it was conceived as a standalone story. However, box office success and cultural impact have a way of altering plans.
With Folie à Deux taking unexpected turns—both narratively and stylistically—fans are wondering whether the story might continue further.
Todd Phillips’ comments on the future of Joker
Todd Phillips has been cautious in discussing the future of the Joker series. Unlike directors who openly tease sequels, Phillips has opted for more cryptic statements. In interviews leading up to Folie à Deux, he acknowledged the emotional weight and artistic satisfaction that came from making the sequel, but he also emphasized how Folie à Deux represents a complete narrative arc for both Arthur Fleck and his new co-star, Harley Quinn.
In one promotional interview, Phillips noted that both he and Phoenix returned for the sequel not out of contractual obligation, but because they found a story they believed was worth telling. That distinction is significant—it suggests that the creation of a third film would require an equally compelling, standalone reason.
The original vision for the character
When Joker premiered in 2019, it defied superhero genre conventions. Phillips, known primarily for comedies like The Hangover, took a stark turn toward psychological drama. The movie offered an unsettling, introspective look into a man spiraling into madness, deliberately divorced from comic book spectacle. Phillips described it as a “character study,” and Phoenix’s performance earned him an Academy Award.
The film’s unexpected billion-dollar gross changed Warner Bros.’ calculus. Though initially hesitant, the studio began to see value in darker, auteur-driven DC projects. But Phillips pushed back against franchise pressures, stating that Joker wasn’t meant to start a cinematic universe.
How ‘Folie à Deux’ changes the landscape
Folie à Deux introduces elements that fundamentally shift the tone and structure of the story. With Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and musical sequences interwoven into the plot, the film challenges expectations. This stylistic evolution opens up possibilities for where a third film could go—if one is ever greenlit.
Phillips reportedly spent months refining the sequel’s concept, and early reactions have noted its emotionally layered portrayal of trauma and shared delusion. The title itself, a reference to a psychiatric syndrome in which two people share the same delusion, implies a co-dependent and potentially destructive relationship. Given how distinct Folie à Deux is from the original, it’s evident that Phillips isn’t merely rehashing old ideas.
That kind of reinvention makes the concept of a third film both tempting and difficult. How do you push further when you’ve already subverted expectations twice?
Joaquin Phoenix’s position on continuing
Joaquin Phoenix has earned a reputation for being selective and deeply committed to his roles. His portrayal of Arthur Fleck was transformative, and his return for Folie à Deux surprised many. During press events, Phoenix admitted he hadn’t initially planned to revisit the character but was drawn back by the script’s complexity and the opportunity to work with Gaga.
Asked whether he’d return for a third installment, Phoenix remained ambiguous. While he didn’t rule it out, he stressed the importance of artistic integrity. He isn’t an actor who signs up for trilogies without thoughtful consideration. If Joker 3 happens, it won’t be because of studio pressure—it will be because the character has somewhere meaningful to go.
Challenges to making a third Joker film
Even if the creative team finds inspiration, several obstacles stand in the way of a potential third movie:
- Narrative closure: If *Folie à Deux* completes Arthur’s psychological arc, forcing a continuation could undermine the integrity of the story.
- Creative exhaustion: Phillips and Phoenix have poured immense energy into crafting these films. Repeating that process without diminishing returns would be difficult.
- Warner Bros. strategy: The DC film division has undergone multiple reboots and restructurings. With James Gunn and Peter Safran now steering the ship, their focus might be elsewhere.
- Genre expectations: The unique tone of the *Joker* films doesn’t fit easily into wider comic-book trends. Any continuation would need to justify its existence beyond box office potential.
What a third film could focus on
If a third film were to happen, its direction would need to break new ground. Possible paths include:
- Harley Quinn’s perspective: Gaga’s performance could be expanded, offering a fresh lens through which to view Arthur’s transformation and the relationship dynamic.
- A deeper dive into Arkham Asylum: With much of *Folie à Deux* reportedly set in the psychiatric hospital, a third film could further explore its inmates and history.
- The rise of Joker as a symbol: The first film ended with Arthur being celebrated by rioters. That thread could be picked up to explore the idea of Joker as an idea, not just a man.
- Unreliable narratives: Both films play with perception and delusion. A third installment could push that concept even further, challenging what’s real and what’s imagined.
Audience and studio reactions
Warner Bros. remains tight-lipped about the possibility of a trilogy, though executives have expressed admiration for the creative risks taken in the first two films. The commercial success of Folie à Deux will be a key factor in determining whether a third entry gets serious consideration.
Audience reactions, too, play a role. If fans embrace the new musical direction and character dynamics, momentum may build organically. If, however, the sequel feels too experimental or final, that momentum may dissipate.
No definitive answer—yet
Todd Phillips hasn’t offered a firm yes or no on Joker 3. The hints suggest openness to the idea but no commitment. In a cinematic landscape saturated with franchises, the restraint shown by Phillips and Phoenix is notable. They’ve crafted a universe where artistic motivation—not franchise logic—drives the decisions.
For now, Folie à Deux appears to stand as the bookend to Arthur Fleck’s tragic evolution. Whether the story continues will depend not only on the filmmaker’s creative spark but also on whether they believe there’s another truth worth uncovering through the Joker’s fractured mind.