Joker director Todd Phillips crafted one of the most lucrative films in Hollywood history and is now set to release Joker: Folie à Deux this Friday, October 4. Could Phillips return for another Joker or DC movie? Don't hold your breath. When asked by The Hollywood Reporter if he might direct a standalone film for Lady Gaga's character, Harley, Phillips stated that he has no plans for that or any other DC movies. "It's not really where this movie is headed for me. I feel like my time in the DC Universe was these two films," he said.
Prior to this, Phillips told Variety that he enjoyed making the two Joker movies but added, "I think we've said what we wanted to say in this world." Therefore, it's unlikely that Phillips will return for Joker 3 or any other DC film, though future plans can always evolve. Joker: Folie à Deux is expected to make a significant impact when it debuts on October 4, but it's unlikely to match the record-breaking pace of the 2019 original film, according to industry estimates. The film is projected to earn $70 million or more in North America alone during its opening weekend in early October, which is well below the $96.2 million that the 2019 Joker earned domestically for its opening weekend.
Joker: Folie à Deux sees Joaquin Phoenix reprising his Oscar-winning role as Joker. Gaga joins the cast as Harley, while Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Steve Coogan also feature, along with Zazie Beetz reprising her character from the first film. The movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, and reviews have been mixed, much like the critical reception to the original movie.
