Joker writer-director Todd Phillips has clarified that Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in the Joker movie series, was never meant to be the actual Joker. In a recent interview, Phillips explained that Fleck, through 'Joker' and 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' was merely an 'unwitting' leader who was given the title Joker. This revelation contains spoilers for the Todd Phillips Joker movie series.
At the conclusion of 'Folie à Deux,' Fleck admits to his crimes during his murder trial, realizing that the system is entirely corrupt and the only solution is to 'burn it all down,' according to Phillips' interview with Entertainment Weekly. It is at this moment that Fleck comprehends he is not truly the Joker.
'When those guards kill that kid in the [hospital], he understands that dressing up in makeup, putting on this persona, it's not altering anything. In some ways, he's accepted the fact that he's always been Arthur Fleck,' Phillips stated. 'He's never been this entity that's been imposed upon him, this notion that Gotham people have placed on him, that he symbolizes. He's an unwitting icon. This identity was thrust upon him, and he no longer wishes to live as a fake—he wants to be who he is.'
Phillips also highlighted how Lady Gaga's character, Lee, never refers to the character as Arthur until their final farewell in the film. 'She's realizing, 'I'm on a completely different journey, man, you can't be what I wanted you to be,' Phillips explained.
Lee desired Arthur to embrace being the Joker, and when Arthur refuses and confesses to his crimes, Lee has no further use for him and departs. Both 'Joker' and 'Folie à Deux' exist outside the official DC canon, allowing Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver the freedom to explore various creative avenues. 'Folie à Deux' has currently grossed $120 million globally, yet it falls significantly short of the billion-dollar success of the 2019 film—a feat the sequel was never anticipated to match or exceed in terms of commercial performance.
While the sequel might not achieve the same commercial or critical acclaim, Phillips and Phoenix likely aren't overly concerned, as they both received substantial payouts from the first movie. Phillips alone is rumored to have earned $100 million or more from the initial film due to his contract structure. Phoenix won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Joker, and the movie was nominated for Best Picture.
For further insights into 'Folie à Deux,' explore GameSpot's analysis of the film's startling conclusion.
