Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix: have teamed up for one of the most anticipated movies of the year, Joker: Folie à Deux, the follow-up to the 2019 Oscar-winning film Joker. The two stars made headlines when they appeared together at the Venice International Film Festival, where they shared insights into their intense transformations for their roles.
Both actors, known for their dedication to their craft, went through extreme physical and mental preparations to portray their characters, Harley Quinn and Arthur Fleck (Joker). Gaga, who has gained a reputation for her boundary-pushing roles in films like A Star Is Born and House of Gucci, embraced the challenge of transforming into Harley Quinn. Similarly, Joaquin Phoenix, who had already earned an Academy Award for his portrayal of the Joker, took on the daunting task of re-entering the mind of the iconic, troubled character.
In this article, we’ll explore the details of their experiences working on the film, their physical transformations, and the special chemistry they developed on set.
Lady Gaga’s Transformation into Harley Quinn
For Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga stepped into the iconic role of Harley Quinn, a character known for her chaotic and unpredictable nature. During the Venice Film Festival press conference, Gaga revealed that her preparation for the role involved “unlearning” her usual singing techniques to fully embody the character.
“For me, it was a lot about kind of unlearning technique and forgetting how to breathe and allowing the song to completely come out of the character,” she explained.
Gaga is known for her incredible vocal control, but for this role, she had to let go of her polished style and embrace a raw, emotional approach that aligned with Harley Quinn’s unstable and impulsive personality.
Live Singing in Joker: Folie à Deux
One of the most exciting aspects of Joker: Folie à Deux is its musical element. Unlike most films that feature pre-recorded vocals, Gaga and Phoenix chose to perform their songs live during filming. This decision came from Gaga herself, who suggested that singing live would add an authentic layer to the performances.
At first, Phoenix wasn’t entirely convinced. He humorously recalled their discussion, saying, “Early on, she was like, ‘Oh, we’re going to sing live,’ and I was like, ‘No, we’re not. You can sing live if you’d like.’” Despite his initial hesitancy, both actors eventually agreed to perform live, which Phoenix later admitted was the right choice for the film.
According to Phoenix, singing live created an energy on set that was vital for the film’s intense emotional scenes. Gaga, known for her extraordinary live performances, pushed herself and Phoenix to embrace the unpredictable and raw nature of live singing.
Quick Information Table:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | Joker: Folie à Deux |
| Stars | Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix |
| Director | Todd Phillips |
| Release Year | 2024 |
| Film Genre | Musical Psychological Thriller |
| Lady Gaga’s Role | Harley Quinn |
| Joaquin Phoenix’s Role | Arthur Fleck (Joker) |
| Physical Transformation | Weight loss for both actors |
| Singing Method | Live vocal performances |
| Premiere Event | Venice International Film Festival |
Joaquin Phoenix’s Physical and Mental Transformation
Joaquin Phoenix, who famously lost over 50 pounds to portray the malnourished and mentally unstable Joker in the first film, once again underwent a significant physical transformation for the sequel. However, Phoenix admitted that this time around, the transformation was more challenging, especially given the demanding dance rehearsals required for the film’s musical elements.
“It felt a bit more complicated just because there was so much dance rehearsal that we were doing, which I didn’t have last time,” Phoenix explained. He joked that at 49 years old, his body wasn’t as resilient as it used to be, and that perhaps this would be his last time taking on such a physically demanding role.
Phoenix’s dedication to portraying Arthur Fleck is evident in his preparation for the role. He pushed himself both physically and mentally, delving once again into the dark psyche of the Joker. Fans can expect another hauntingly transformative performance from Phoenix, who has become synonymous with the character.
Gaga’s Physical Transformation and Dedication
Not only did Joaquin Phoenix go through an intense physical transformation, but Lady Gaga also took the process seriously. Phoenix mentioned that he was impressed by how much weight Gaga lost for the role, a testament to her dedication.
“I remember we did some rehearsals, and then you went away for like a month, and when you came back, you had lost a lot of weight,” Phoenix said during the press conference. Gaga’s commitment to fully transforming into Harley Quinn is a reflection of the same level of discipline and intensity that Phoenix brought to the Joker.
The Unique Dynamic Between Gaga and Phoenix
One of the most striking aspects of the Venice Film Festival press conference was the genuine admiration and respect that Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix expressed for each other. Gaga described working with Phoenix as a “total breeze” and shared that it was an experience unlike any other.
“He’s incredibly loose and free,” Gaga said, praising Phoenix’s ability to be fully present and spontaneous in each scene. She admitted that coming onto set with a preconceived notion of what was going to happen was not the right approach when working with Phoenix. Instead, both actors thrived in the chaos and uncertainty of the moment, which allowed their performances to feel raw and authentic.
Phoenix, in turn, praised Gaga’s artistry and transformation for the role. He admired her for pushing the boundaries of her performance and acknowledged the significant physical and emotional effort she put into the role.
Todd Phillips’ Vision for Joker: Folie à Deux
Director Todd Phillips, who was also present at the press conference, has once again taken on the monumental task of crafting a dark, psychological film with a unique twist. The original Joker was a grim and disturbing look at the descent of Arthur Fleck into madness, and with Folie à Deux, Phillips has expanded the story by introducing musical elements.
This musical aspect adds a new layer to the Joker’s narrative and allows audiences to see both Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn in a new light. Phillips’ decision to include live performances was influenced by Gaga’s suggestion, and it ended up being one of the film’s standout features.
Lady Gaga’s Inspiration for Harley Quinn
When asked about her inspiration for taking on the role of Harley Quinn, Lady Gaga shared that she was deeply moved by Phoenix’s performance in the original Joker film. She said that the first film made her “take a hard look” at society and how people who are misunderstood are treated.
“Sometimes when stories are told about people that are maybe misunderstood by society, the director gives you a chance—the actor gives you a chance—to really take a hard look at that world in a deeper way,” Gaga explained. She felt compelled to be part of the film after seeing the raw and vulnerable way Phoenix portrayed Arthur Fleck, which allowed her to explore Harley Quinn from a similarly complex perspective.
What is Joker: Folie à Deux About?
While much of the plot of Joker: Folie à Deux remains under wraps, the film is set to explore the relationship between Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn. In the comics and previous films, Harley is often portrayed as the Joker’s partner in crime, but also as someone who is deeply infatuated with him, despite his violent and unpredictable behavior.
Given the psychological depth of the first Joker film, fans can expect Folie à Deux to delve into Harley Quinn’s character in a similarly complex and nuanced way. The addition of musical elements and live performances will give the film a unique and experimental edge that sets it apart from other comic book adaptations.
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Conclusion
The Venice Film Festival gave fans a glimpse into the extraordinary process behind Joker: Folie à Deux and the incredible work that Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix put into their roles. From their physical transformations to their commitment to live performances, both actors have pushed the boundaries of their craft to bring these iconic characters to life.
The chemistry between Gaga and Phoenix, both on and off-screen, promises to make Joker: Folie à Deux one of the most talked-about films of the year. Directed by Todd Phillips, this musical psychological thriller is set to offer a fresh, bold take on the Joker’s world, and audiences are eagerly waiting to see how the story of Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn unfolds.
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