LOS ANGELES – Lady Gaga reflects on how an inspiring road trip through the picturesque landscapes of Big Sky Country in late 2022 with her boyfriend, Michael Polansky, fueled her portrayal of Harley Quinn in the highly anticipated sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
Polansky, who is an entrepreneur based in San Francisco, is certainly not the Joker in this narrative. During the interview, Gaga, 38, proudly displays her engagement ring from Polansky. The journey through Wyoming and the Teton Range became a creative spark for Gaga as she prepared for her role opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s iconic character in the follow-up to 2019’s “Joker.”
“I was driving around some of the most beautiful mountains in the world,” Gaga recalls. “I thought, ‘Can you believe that this woman tells the Joker they’re going to build a mountain together’? I fully believe she believes that. It’s a complete fantasy.”
Set to release in theaters this Friday, “Joker: Folie à Deux” offers a dark twist on love and features the unconventional pairing of Joker and Harley Quinn in a musical format. Unlike traditional comic book films that include Batman or bank heists, this film delves into a complex relationship.
Phoenix and director Todd Phillips had been quietly discussing a sequel after the first film’s massive success, grossing over $1 billion and garnering 11 Oscar nominations, with Phoenix winning best actor. However, both were clear that the follow-up would not emulate the typical superhero movie experience.
“There wasn’t going to be any of that,” Phoenix says, emphasizing their desire to explore the internal dynamics of the characters.
“Folie à Deux” takes place two years after the first film, where Arthur Fleck grapples with the aftermath of his rise to infamy. Phoenix draws inspiration for Arthur’s mindset from reflections on the band KISS and the challenges of maintaining a public persona.
In this sequel, Arthur’s state of being drastically changes upon his meeting with Harley Quinn, played by Gaga. Their interactions highlight the shared delusions in their unconventional love story.
Facing the pressure of intense public scrutiny after the success of “Joker,” Phillips notes that working with two major stars like Phoenix and Gaga brought challenges, primarily from paparazzi and fan expectations.
“This time it was not easy,” Phillips shares. “When we made the first ‘Joker,’ it was all under the radar. Suddenly, after bringing Lady Gaga on board, we were under a microscope.”
Gaga entwines her musical talent into the film, even bringing a cover of “Gonna Build a Mountain,” which features in her new album, “Harlequin,” to the project. The scene is a blend of joy and despair, reflecting the emotional journey of the characters.
As the narrative continues, the film leads to a highly publicized trial, showcasing the transformative journey of Arthur, encouraged by Harley. The musical elements emphasize the film’s commitment to originality.
Both stars underwent extensive training for their performances, underlining Phillips’ assertion that all performances are authentic — “There’s no CGI, no face replacement for this dude,” he remarks of Phoenix.
Phoenix described the rigorous training, especially for a tap dance scene that took months to prepare. Despite the challenges, he felt compelled to fully engage with the character’s dynamic alongside Gaga.
“It was energetic just seeing Stefani perform,” Phoenix says, reflecting on the excitement of the moment. “I thought, ‘Well, I have to try it on film, even if I fall.’”