JOKER Star Joaquin Phoenix Is Open To A Sequel: "Me And Todd Would Still Be Shooting Now If We Could"

Although Joker director Todd Philips has previously described his film as "one and done," it sounds like star Joaquin Phoenix is a lot more open to the idea of continuing Arthur Fleck's story in a sequel.

By MarkCassidy - Oct 07, 2019 03:10 PM EST

Filed Under: Joker

Joker was always conceived as a standalone origin story for the iconic Batman villain, and even though the movie does leave some room for a follow-up (depending on how you interpret the ending), director Todd Philips has shot down the idea of a sequel on several different occasions.

Of course, that was before the the film broke domestic, international and global box office records for October when it opened last week, and there's a very good chance Warner Bros., at least, is currently reconsidering that stance.

Whether Philips has any interest remains to be seen, but it certainly sounds like star Joaquin Phoenix would be up for continuing Arthur Fleck's twisted tale. When asked if he'd consider Joker to be his "dream role" on Popcorn with Peter Travers, the actor said the following.

You know, I wouldn’t have thought about this as my dream role. But now, honestly, I can’t stop thinking about it,” admitted Phoenix. “I talked to Todd a lot about what else we might be able to do, in general, just to work together, but also specifically, if there’s something else we can do with Joker that might be interesting. So, it ended up being a dream role. It’s nothing that I really wanted to do prior to working on this movie.”

“I don’t know that there is [more to do],” Phoenix added. “Me and Todd would still be shooting now if we could, right? Because it seemed endless, the possibilities of where we can go with the character.”

It's definitely an interesting response from Phoenix, who wasn't even directly asked about a potential sequel here.

Of course, even if the studio was to develop another movie, that wouldn't necessarily mean it'd have any connection to Matt Reeves' The Batman. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a direct continuation of Joker not involving at least some incarnation of the Dark Knight.

What do you guys make of the possibility of a Joker 2? Drop us a comment in the usual place, and check out our spoiler breakdown by clicking the view list button below.

Simply click on the VIEW LIST (ONE PAGE) button below!

Meet Arthur Fleck

Image result for joker movie arthur fleck

We are introduced to Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) almost immediately, and it's clear from the start that this guy has some serious issues.

Arthur suffers from an unspecified mental illness, along with a condition that forces him to burst into fits of laughter in stressful situations. Living and caring for his mother (Frances Conroy), he gets by on medication, weekly therapy sessions and focusing on his job as a street clown. But a violent assault from a gang of kids that steal his sign kicks off a series of events that will take Arthur down a very dark path.

The Neighbor Who Wasn't There

Image result for joker movie zazie beetz

Arthur meets a sympathetic single mother named Sophie Dummond (Zazie Beetz) who lives in his apartment building. The two seem to hit it off and actually embark on a romantic relationship, but something about it always seems a bit off (she's fine with him stalking her for a start), and we eventually find out why.

We're jumping ahead here, but towards the end it's revealed that Arthur was actually imagining all of his dates with Sophie and embracing the delusion of companionship. This is fully confirmed when he walks into her apartment and she reacts with fear, barely recalling his name.

One Bad Day...

Okay, so it's a lot more than one bad day in Arthur's case, but a certain series of events in close succession do ultimately tip him over the edge.

A seemingly altruistic clown colleague gives Fleck a gun when he hears about the assault, but when it falls out of his pocked during a visit to a children's hospital, Arthur is fired.

His boss also tells him that the same workmate that gave him the gun denied all knowledge, and actually said Arthur tried to sell it to him.

The First Kills

On the way home on the subway, Arthur is mocked and assaulted by three wall-street jocks who had been hassling a woman on the seat across from them. When Fleck begins to laugh uncontrollably, they target him.

Not a good idea, boys.

Arthur guns two of them down and chases the third outside where he mercilessly executes him on the steps to the street above. Afterwards, we're treated to a haunting scene of Arthur dancing slowly in the bathroom, preparing to fully embrace a whole new persona.

Thomas Wayne

Arthur's mother is obsessed with Mayoral candidate Thomas Wayne, who used to employ her. She writes him multiple letters, none of which are ever responded to.

After the subway murders, Arthur decides to read her latest letter and discovers that Wayne is actually his real father. Upon confronting his mother about it, he decides to go to Wayne Manor and winds up running into a young Bruce Wayne.

The future Batman seems unimpressed with Arthur's magic tricks, and a butler-type (could be Alfred, but seems unlikely) steps in. He tells Fleck that his mother is crazy and gets a near-throttling for his trouble.

"You Think This Is Funny?"

Image result for joker thomas wayne punch

Arthur decides to get answers from Wayne (Brett Cullen) himself, and poses as a bellboy (a little nod to his comic book counterpart's penchant for disguises, perhaps?) at the opera in order to confront him in the bathroom.

Things do not go well, as the ruthless Wayne denies being Fleck's father and reveals that he never even slept with his former employee, who spent time in Arkham Psychiatric Hospital back when he knew her. When Arthur begins to laugh maniacally and grows angry, Wayne punches him and returns to his seat.

Disturbing Revelations

Still not convinced, Arthur goes to Arkham to check his mother's records. The orderly (Brian Tyree Henry) tells him that he can't reveal any details, so Arthur steals the file and uncovers the shocking truth.

The mentally ill woman Arthur believed to be his mother actually adopted him, and a police report reveals that she allowed one of her boyfriends to sexually abuse him as a child.

Arthur then suffocates Penny Fleck with a pillow, telling her that he now views his life as a comedy.

Scissors

A representative for popular talk-show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) calls Arthur and asks him to come on the show to discuss a video of his excruciating stand-up act that Murray mocked earlier in the movie.

As Fleck prepares by putting on his makeup and holding a gun to his head, two former colleagues - one of whom gave him the gun drop by to make sure Arthur never said anything to the police. Arthur erupts in violence, brutally stabbing the bigger man to death with a scissors.

He shows a glimmer of humanity and allows the other to live, telling him he was "the only one who was ever nice."

Joker

Arthur arrives for his Murray Franklin appearance, asking the host to introduce him as Joker. He begins by telling a few off color jokes before admitting that he killed the men on the subway. Franklin soon realizes he's not joking, but continues to antagonize his clearly unstable guest.

Although it initially seemed as if Arthur intended to kill himself live on air, he decides to tell one final joke ("What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? I'll tell you what you get. You get what you [frick]ing deserve!") and shoots Murray instead.

Put On A Happy Face

Inspired by Fleck's actions and Wayne referring to Gotham's underprivileged as "clowns," a large number of Gotham citizens stage violent riots across the city. As Arthur is being taken to prison, an ambulance crashes into the side of the car and a pair of mask-wearing rioters free him from the back.

Arthur dances on the bonnet of the car while the city erupts in chaos around him. As he paints a smile on his face using his own blood, we see Thomas and Martha Wayne being gunned down in an alley in front of their son, Bruce.

"You Wouldn't Get It"

There's no post-credits scene, but we do get an epilogue of sorts which finds Joker at a therapy session in Arkham.

As he begins to laugh we briefly cut to Bruce Wayne standing in shock as his parents lay dead at his feet.

The therapist asks Fleck what he find so funny, and he tells her he thought of a joke, but she wouldn't get it. We then see Arthur leaving the room in slow-motion, leaving bloody footprints. This clearly implies that he murdered his therapist, fully giving himself over to the the monstrous Joker persona.

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Star Steve Coogan Reveals Who He's Playing In Todd Phillips' Upcoming DC Sequel

Recommended For You:

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

146 Comments

1 2 3 4

TheOverseer - 10/7/2019, 3:34 PM

Nice to see Joaquin softening his stance. If they do do a sequel, they have to hit it out of the park or not try at all.

DoubleD - 10/7/2019, 3:35 PM

I thought Joker ended with a cliff hanger we need a sequel.

NinnesMBC - 10/7/2019, 3:37 PM

If there is a way and they can find it and feel confident about it, then go ahead. I know Joaquin Phoenix would still deliver.

BTW I found out that he surprised some moviegoers at a cinema during a screening of Joker and that is very unlike him to do that. But also pretty awesome.

patmanqc - 10/7/2019, 3:39 PM

Joker 2: electric Boogaloo

KWilly - 10/7/2019, 4:02 PM

@patmanqc - J2Ker

Kumkani - 10/7/2019, 4:45 PM

@KWilly - 2 Jo 2 Ker

1 2 3 4

Related Headlines

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Star Steve Coogan Reveals Who He's Playing In Todd Phillips' Upcoming DC Sequel

JoshWilding

1 day ago

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

MarkJulian

Apr 12, 2024 08:04 AM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

MarkCassidy

Apr 10, 2024 10:04 AM

Related Headlines

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Star Steve Coogan Reveals Who He's Playing In Todd Phillips' Upcoming DC Sequel

JoshWilding

1 day ago

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

MarkJulian

Apr 12, 2024 08:04 AM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

MarkCassidy

Apr 10, 2024 10:04 AM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX - Arthur Fleck Isn't Alone Anymore... In First Trailer For Joaquin Phoenix's DC Sequel

RohanPatel

Apr 09, 2024 09:04 PM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX: First Teaser Features The Return Of Joaquin Phoenix As Arthur Fleck

MarkCassidy

Apr 09, 2024 11:04 AM

Joker

Sci-Fi

MEGAOPOLIS Teaser Trailer Reveals More Of Francis Ford Coppola's Roman Epic Fable Set In Modern America

JoshWilding

37 mins ago

Lanterns

DC Studios' LANTERNS TV Rumored To Have Enlisted Co-Writer With Plenty Of DC Experience

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Latest Headlines

Thor

THOR Star Chris Hemsworth Blasts Actors Who've Criticized The MCU After Appearing In Movies That "Didn't Work"

MarkCassidy

37 mins ago

Sci-Fi

MEGAOPOLIS Teaser Trailer Reveals More Of Francis Ford Coppola's Roman Epic Fable Set In Modern America

JoshWilding

37 mins ago

Lanterns

DC Studios' LANTERNS TV Rumored To Have Enlisted Co-Writer With Plenty Of DC Experience

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Dune

DUNE: PROPHECY - Max Spin-Off Series Casts Legendary Indian Star Tabu As Sister Francesca

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Marvel Comics

X-MEN Editor Sheds New Light On Why Jonathan Hickman Abandoned The Krokoa Age After Relaunching Team

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Arrow

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS Was Going To Be Released Theatrically - Marc Guggenheim Reveals Why It Didn't Happen

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Hot Headlines

90 comments

THOR Star Chris Hemsworth On Directors Who've Criticised The MCU: "[They've] Had Films That Didn’t Work Too"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

77 comments

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Trailer Will Be Released Online Tomorrow

MarkCassidy

18 hours ago EST

62 comments

Marvel Studios Reveals Yet Another AGATHA Title...And This Is By Far The Weirdest One Yet!

JoshWilding

19 hours ago EST

57 comments

ECHO Is Disney+'s Second Biggest TV Series In 2024...But It's Still A Long Way From First Place

JoshWilding

16 hours ago EST

57 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

CREATURE COMMANDOS Confirms First-Look Reveal Headed To Next Month's Annecy Film Festival

More Cartoons & Animated ►

MARVEL RIVALS Devs Apologize For Banning Content Creators From Posting Negative Impressions

More Anime & Manga ►

THE MUMMY Director Stephen Sommers On Why He Was Insulted By 2017 Reboot Starring Tom Cruise

More Horror ►

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Production Designer Pawas Sawatchaiyamet On Working With Dev Patel

More Action Movies & TV ►

Two Of Pro Wrestling's Biggest Stars, Becky Lynch And Bryan Danielson, Could Soon Be Free Agents

More Pro Wrestling ►

MEGAOPOLIS Teaser Trailer Sees Francis Ford Coppola Bring The Fall Of Ancient Rome To America

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

JOKER Star Joaquin Phoenix Is Open To A Sequel: "Me And Todd Would Still Be Shooting Now If We Could"

Although Joker director Todd Philips has previously described his film as "one and done," it sounds like star Joaquin Phoenix is a lot more open to the idea of continuing Arthur Fleck's story in a sequel.

Meet Arthur Fleck

The Neighbor Who Wasn't There

One Bad Day...

The First Kills

Thomas Wayne

"You Think This Is Funny?"

Disturbing Revelations

Scissors

Joker

Put On A Happy Face

"You Wouldn't Get It"

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Star Steve Coogan Reveals Who He's Playing In Todd Phillips' Upcoming DC Sequel

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Star Steve Coogan Reveals Who He's Playing In Todd Phillips' Upcoming DC Sequel

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Star Steve Coogan Reveals Who He's Playing In Todd Phillips' Upcoming DC Sequel

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX - Arthur Fleck Isn't Alone Anymore... In First Trailer For Joaquin Phoenix's DC Sequel

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX: First Teaser Features The Return Of Joaquin Phoenix As Arthur Fleck

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Officially Rated-R For "Strong Violence, Some Sexuality, & Full Nudity"

Popular Headlines

THUNDERBOLTS* Rumored To Introduce Valentina Allegra De Fontaine's [SPOILER] Group

THOR Star Chris Hemsworth On Directors Who've Criticised The MCU: "[They've] Had Films That Didn’t Work Too"

SUPERMAN & LOIS Series Finale Set Photos Tease Arrival Of Fan-Favorite DC Comics Superhero - SPOILERS

Marvel Studios Reveals Yet Another AGATHA Title...And This Is By Far The Weirdest One Yet!

THE WITCHER Star Freya Allan On Why She's Relieved The Show Is Ending With Upcoming Season 5

THOR Star Chris Hemsworth Blasts Actors Who've Criticized The MCU After Appearing In Movies That "Didn't Work"

MEGAOPOLIS Teaser Trailer Reveals More Of Francis Ford Coppola's Roman Epic Fable Set In Modern America

DC Studios' LANTERNS TV Rumored To Have Enlisted Co-Writer With Plenty Of DC Experience

THOR Star Chris Hemsworth Blasts Actors Who've Criticized The MCU After Appearing In Movies That "Didn't Work"

MEGAOPOLIS Teaser Trailer Reveals More Of Francis Ford Coppola's Roman Epic Fable Set In Modern America

DC Studios' LANTERNS TV Rumored To Have Enlisted Co-Writer With Plenty Of DC Experience

DUNE: PROPHECY - Max Spin-Off Series Casts Legendary Indian Star Tabu As Sister Francesca

X-MEN Editor Sheds New Light On Why Jonathan Hickman Abandoned The Krokoa Age After Relaunching Team

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS Was Going To Be Released Theatrically - Marc Guggenheim Reveals Why It Didn't Happen

Hot Headlines

THOR Star Chris Hemsworth On Directors Who've Criticised The MCU: "[They've] Had Films That Didn’t Work Too"

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Trailer Will Be Released Online Tomorrow

Marvel Studios Reveals Yet Another AGATHA Title...And This Is By Far The Weirdest One Yet!

ECHO Is Disney+'s Second Biggest TV Series In 2024...But It's Still A Long Way From First Place

Sydney Sweeney's BARBARELLA Remake Eyes Edgar Wright To Direct And A Writer With Superhero Experience

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

MEGAOPOLIS Teaser Trailer Sees Francis Ford Coppola Bring The Fall Of Ancient Rome To America

DUNE: PROPHECY Casts Legendary Indian Star Tabu In A Recurring Role

BARBARELLA: Edgar Wright Officially In Talks To Direct As Sydney Sweeney's Remake Also Eyes Writing Team

First Footage From THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM Set For Annecy

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: First Teaser For Season 2 Of THE RINGS OF POWER Arrives Tomorrow

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Off To A Strong Start At The Box Office With $129M Global Haul

Cartoons & Animated Features

CREATURE COMMANDOS Confirms First-Look Reveal Headed To Next Month's Annecy Film Festival

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Shares Final "Homework" For Fans And Reveals Why Deadpool Isn't In The Series

THE SIMPSONS Showrunner Al Jean Reveals Why 2024 Will Decide Whether We Finally Get A Movie Sequel

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Teases Original 5-Season Plan And Addresses [SPOILER]'s Cameo In Episode 5

X-MEN '97: Beau DeMayo Shares Cryptic Hint About Next Week's Season Finale - SPOILERS

BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER First Look Reveals Period Setting & VERY Different Takes On The Dark Knight's Villains

Gaming

MARVEL RIVALS Devs Apologize For Banning Content Creators From Posting Negative Impressions

ASSASSIN'S CREED SHADOWS (Codename Red) To Be Revealed On Wednesday

Chris Pratt Teases SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE Sequel Plans And Shares Excitement For Other Nintendo Film Projects

THE LAST OF US Season 2 Set Photos Feature Bella Ramsey And Isabela Merced As Ellie And Dina

New CALL OF DUTY Releases May Launch On Xbox Game Pass

TERMINATOR: SURVIVORS Shares New Key Art Highlighting Alliances And Factions

Anime & Manga

NEPTUNIA GAMEMAKER R:EVOLUTION Is Coming To Xbox Series X|S In 2024

ONE PIECE Star Inaki Godoy Reveals The Three Anime Scenes He Wants To Recreate In Live-Action

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA HASHIRA TRAINING ARC Now Streaming; Opening Season 4 Theme Released

RICK AND MORTY: THE ANIME Coming To Adult Swim And Max This Year; New Preview Video Released

SWORD OF THE DEMON HUNTER: KIJIN GENTOSHO TV Anime Premiere Date Announced

SHOGUN May Be Getting A Second Season After Series Star Hiroyuki Sanada Signs New Deal

Horror

THE MUMMY Director Stephen Sommers On Why He Was "Insulted" By 2017 Reboot Starring Tom Cruise

NIGHTBITCH: Amy Adams Has Got That Dog In Her On First Official Poster

IN A VIOLENT NATURE "Buckle Up" Trailer Features Terrifying New Footage

FALL's Grace Caroline Currey To Star In Remake Of Wes Craven's THE BREED

THE CROW Returns To Theaters To Mark 30th Anniversary - Check Out A New Poster

LONGLEGS First Reactions Hail Osgood Perkins' Horror Movie As "Unsettling, Disturbing" And "Best Film Of 2024"