Joker was a unique film among the DC movies we've seen in recent years, and while it was perhaps the comic book movie that least needed a sequel, we're getting one anyway. The fact that the movie was getting a sequel was a surprise, but not as much of a surprise as the news that the next DC movie, titled Joker: Folly of TwoIt would be a musical. Well, wait a second, because director Todd Phillips says it's not exactly a musical.
From the first rumors to the incorporation of Lady Gaga to the Joker 2 The cast, all signs pointed to a strong musical influence in the new film. Speaking with Variety Todd Phillips makes it clear that he feels a little uncomfortable calling the film a musical. Not because there isn't a significant amount of singing and dancing in the film, but because Joker: Folly of Two The trailer makes it clear that there is, but says it's not presented exactly as it is in musicals. Phillips said…
Most of the music in the film is actually just dialogue. It's just that Arthur doesn't have the words to say what he wants to say, so he sings them.
The question of whether a song in a musical actually takes place within the story, whether people actually start singing or whether what we're watching is actually some kind of dream sequence, is often left intentionally vague. But unless the scene is from an actual performance, more often than not those musical moments aren't In fact We are seeing how a character's emotions take over him and that is represented to the audience as a pause to sing.
While what we know about Joker: Folly of Two While it does confirm that such scenes are included, it seems that most of the singing is just characters choosing to sing rather than speak, indicating that everyone else will be able to hear them singing. For a film that will have significant sequences in an asylum, that probably won't be the weirdest thing people do, so it may not even be mentioned.
Part of this seems to be Todd Phillips managing expectations. It's not that he has anything against musicals – he seems to like them – but for anyone going to see the movie, Joker sequel because they want to see a traditional musical, they want people to know what they're going to see, because it won't be that. Continued…
I don't want people to think it's like In the Heights, where the lady in the store starts singing and then walks out into the street while the police dance. No disrespect, because I loved In the Heights.
In an age where many movies that are musicals seem to want to hide that fact, it's nice, honestly, to have this clarification. People who love musicals might be disappointed if they think they're watching a traditional musical, and those viewers who aren't necessarily fans of musicals might be more interested in the sequel knowing that this movie is something a little different.