By Owen Tonks

Published: Tuesday, 12 April 2022 at 12:00 am

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The 2019 film Joker was initially meant as a one-off – but after a billion dollars at the box office and an Oscar win for star Joaquin Phoenix, it’s hardly surprising that there have been rumblings of a sequel.

However, it seems we may have our first concrete information that Joker 2 is indeed in development and that some of the creative team from the first film are on board for the follow-up.

It’s good news for fans of the Clown Prince of Crime, as there has been little news of a sequel since Joker was released in October 2019 and went on to dominate the Best Actor categories that award season.

So get ready for more haunting dance scenes – here’s everything we know about Joker 2, including all the rumours and latest news.

Will there be a Joker 2?

Joker 2 is reportedly in development.

The Joker was intended as a one-off movie with no further instalments but the first film does leave the door open for more.

While director Phillips has categorically said “we have no plan for a sequel”, that the film is “not set up” for a second serving and that they “pitched it as one movie”, the first movie ends with Arthur at Arkham State Hospital where he escapes from a therapy session, leaving bloody footsteps in his wake and many questions unanswered.

Other untold parts of the story that could be expanded on in a new film include when Batman’s parents are shot and killed in an alley by a rioter when Gotham City is overrun with chaos, and Arthur’s obsession with Sophie (Zazie Beetz).

Phillips alluded to the fact he had “bounced around ideas” about another Joker movie with Phoenix but claimed they had done that while making the first film “because that’s what you do sometimes”.

However, after rumours in 2020 that he was in negotiations, a May 2021 report from The Hollywood Reporter stated that Phillips had indeed “struck a deal to co-write the next Joker instalment”.

Philips served as co-writer as well as director for the original Joker, so it’s not surprising that he would be involved in the sequel’s script.

However, it is unclear if he will also be in the director’s chair this time around, or who his co-writer is – though the first film’s Scott Silver is a likely candidate.

When could a Joker 2 be released?

There is no release date for Joker 2 as no concrete plans for the film have been revealed.

While a script is reportedly in development, that’s no guarantee that production will start anytime soon – work on the first Joker script reportedly took around a year.

Production is likely a way off yet as director Phillips and writer Silver will probably take their time in a bid to recreate the success of the first film and tell the most engaging story for fans.

However, Joker was shot in 12 weeks and post-production was a relatively speedy process in comparison with other comic book films because there were no CGI pieces to be added.

We are likely looking at a release date of 2024 at the earliest if this does get made.

Would Joaquin Phoenix return for a Joker sequel?

It is widely expected Phoenix would return as the infamous Joker if a sequel is made but this is not yet confirmed.

Actress Zazie Beetz may make a comeback as Sophie Dumond as she did not die in the original film.

It is highly unlikely Robert De Niro and Frances Conroy will return as Murray and Penny as they were killed by Arthur in the first film.

Willem Dafoe keen to star in Joker sequel

Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Spider-Man: No Way Home star Willem Dafoe has expressed interest in appearing in a sequel to Joker as an imposter pretending to be the Clown Prince of Crime.

He told GQ: “There is something interesting about, like, if there was a Joker imposter. So it would be possible to have not duelling Jokers but someone that [claims] to be the Joker that isn’t the Joker.

“And that kind of opens up the possibility of an interesting story, particularly if you had Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, and then you had someone who was either imitating or riffing off what he did. I fantasised about that. But other than that I am not talking to anybody [about it], you’re the first one.”

You know, I’m something of a Joker myself.

What could happen in a Joker sequel?

Warner Bros.

**Spoilers for Joker ahead**

At the end of Joker, Arthur Fleck had become his full Batman villain self after tearing through Gotham City following his disastrous appearance on Murray Franklin’s talk show.

The film ended with Arthur in Arkham State Hospital, skipping away from his psychotherapy session leaving bloody footprints behind.

We do know that the Clown Prince of Crime would go on to become arguably Batman’s biggest nemesis, so there’s certainly scope for more of Arthur’s character and villainous actions to be explored.

Bruce Wayne only appeared as a child in Joker, which appeared to be a deliberate move to keep the focus firmly on Arthur. Surely a sequel would have to bring in an antagonist for Fleck?

Of course, Joker 2 is merely a placeholder for a film that isn’t even confirmed yet – and CinemaBlend has theorised Arthur might not even be in the sequel at all.

They propose Phillips could take a similar approach to American Horror Story or Fargo, and focus on a different Gotham villain in the next film, choosing instead to explore different characters’ backstories in an anthology of films.

It’s clear Joker 2 really could go in any direction, so stay glued to this page and we’ll update it with any information or rumours as we have them.

Is there a trailer for a Joker sequel?

There is no trailer for Joker 2 yet but we will update this page with more information as and when it is available.

If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide or visit our Movies hub for all the latest news.

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