When Lady Gaga was announced as the lead in Todd Phillips' highly anticipated DC sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the level of excitement that the two created was evidenced. Recently, the film's casting director Francine Maisler's remarks add to the noise that has been generated around the movie as its release date draws nearer. This eventually impressed even Maisler after she was allowed to watch a few scenes of the movie saying, “She's going to blow your mind.”
This is not mere traditional advertising here that would have been going round the usual cycles of hype and skepticism. However, what can be quite remarkable is that Maisler has praised his subject, something that will not be easy given Gaga's acting experience in the past. Some recall her strong, but not very surprising Oscar-nominated role in “A Star is Born” where she sang and portrayed the character rather easily since it was within her vocal range. Nonetheless, her performance after signing up for Ridley Scott's “House of Gucci” did not reverberate as a similar reaction made some critics doubt her capability of portraying dramatic roles effectively.
In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Gaga leaves no room for mediocrity, portraying the character of Harleen Quinn, which demands substance along with passion. Working alongside Joaquin Phoenix, acclaimed for his magnetic charisma and enigmatic and sometimes disturbing on-screen presence, is no small accomplishment at all. Maisler was not only eager to underline that Gaga performed well and did more than just fine but also added an extraordinary element to the movie. “Joaquin is amazing, but it was great to see she can tag along, and be that raw… She is good,” she stated.
The film is set for screening on Venice Film Festival –a platform that often serves as a testing ground for Oscar hopefuls. This excitement is still trending, and it has resulted in debates on whether Gaga deserves an Oscar or not, and this is expected to increase due to her co-star's exceptional performance.
This is true, especially since the recent director of the Joker, Todd Phillips, is known to test his actors to the brink. There are rumors that the film costs $70 million, and many believe that with such a budget, the film will be both visually and emotionally charged. The fact that Lady Gaga was cast into the project was the decision made by Phillips, and looking at what he managed to come up with, it is quite clear that it was a risky move which would turn out to be quite lucrative.
“Joker: Zhou Ping premiered his film “Folie à Deux” which is set to open in theaters on 4 October 2024. Now with a director and star-studded crew, including the cinematographer Lawrence Sher, and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, the movie is expected to be one of the biggest events on the cinema calendar.
As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: Lady Gaga's performance is set to be a game-changer. Whether you're a die-hard DC fan or a cinema enthusiast, this film is one to watch. Here's hoping Gaga delivers something truly unforgettable.
