Joaquin Phoenix's Joker doesn't set up a sequel, but if one does happen, what could it be about and when would it hit theaters? Discussions of a sequel are currently a bit premature, but with Joker now out in theaters (and doing well at the box office), it may only be a matter of time before they become more realistic. This is the result of the work by director Todd Phillips and Phoenix's awards-worthy leading performance generating plenty of interest in the Joker origin movie.
Just now hitting theaters, Joker follows Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a lowly clown-for-hire with aspirations of being a stand-up comedian. But, when he is pushed to the limits after a lifetime of abuse and being overlooked, Fleck becomes the centerpiece for a revolution in Gotham City. Riots break out, others don clown masks and make-up, and before too long the Joker is a symbol of the oppressed rising up. Although a villain, Joker leaves the door open for more stories centered around the Clown Prince of Crime if there is interest.
Though it's becoming more divisive by the day, Joker has still resonated with many and is on its way to being a big hit. The critical Rotten Tomatoes score has continued to drop, but the early audience reaction is incredibly favorable. The response is fueling a big box office performance for the film, as it is projected to now hold the record for the largest October opening - surpassing Venom. All of this could lead to a sequel getting off the ground before too long, and here's what you can expect to see from Joker 2 should it happen.
Joker's Director Is Open To A Sequel (But That Doesn't Mean It'll Happen)
With the early response to Joker and likely awards contention, there will undoubtedly be interest from WB and DC to get Phillips and Phoenix back to do another movie. Surprisingly, Phillips has already stated that he is open to doing a sequel, but with some contingencies. He doesn't think that he and Phoenix would have any problem figuring out an interesting next chapter to explore, but would only consider it if Phoenix is onboard.
Since he has been hesitant in the past to do franchises, that is not a forgone conclusion at this point. Additionally, Phillips has clarified that while he'd be opening to doing a sequel, he does not have any plans for one at the moment. This puts a Joker sequel in a unique position where whether or not it happens depends on financial or awards success, but rather if the creatives are willing to do it - which is not a sure thing.
Joker Sets Up The DC Universe - But Not A Sequel
Even though ideas for a sequel could be fleshed out, Joker does not inherently set itself up for another story. The movie serves as a clean origin story for Joker first and foremost. While there is some universe building through the inclusion of the Wayne family, they are there to largely help frame Arthur's story - not set up a future conflict between Joker and a boy who could one day become Batman.
Joker 2 Release Date
If Joker 2 does get announced (which is unlikely in the immediate future), it could have a quick turnaround. WB and DC would want the sequel out soon to capitalize on the success and conversations, while Phillips and Phoenix could be eager to return to this story to possibly put a definitive end to it. It was just over two years from the initial announcement of Phillips tackling Joker to the film's release, so a similar time frame could be applied to a possible sequel. In that case, Joker 2 could arrive as soon as 2021 in a similarly awards friendly release window.
More DC Standalones Are More Likely Than Joker 2
But even if Joker 2 doesn't happen, it is inevitable that the success of the film will inspire WB and DC to do more DC standalone movies in a similar vein. There's no need to grow the continuity of this Joker universe when there are unlimited possibilities to explore. While the studios continue to make new entries in the DC Extended Universe, these standalone films can offer unique, one-off stories that otherwise may not be told - like a Lex Luthor solo film or a Red Son Superman movie. This way, WB and DC can have their shared universe of DC content for mass audiences and more adult solo outings with these Elseworlds-type stories.
