The first Joker movie's ending has the perfect set-up for Joaquin Phoenix's Joker and Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn to meet in Joker: Folie à Deux. It's currently unknown if Gaga will also appear as Dr. Harleen Quinzel or solely as her Harley Quinn counterpart - something that could massively change the story of the sequel, as Harleen's transformation into Harley Quinn sees her become a very different character. However, the Joker movie ending supports the idea that one particular storyline may be used for the Joker: Folie à Deux movie, as it would allow for the easiest and perhaps most interesting narrative thread involving Joker and Harley to be explored.
The Joker movie's final scene saw Arthur Fleck become a patient at Arkham State Hospital, this universe's take on Arkham Asylum; a famous institution where the Joker meets Harley Quinn in most iterations of their story. Now that Fleck is at Arkham and Harley is confirmed to appear in Joker: Folie à Deux, it makes most sense for the two to meet here, and for the movie to explore Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn by showcasing her origin story. Because these Joker films present a different side of the character, it's likely that Joker's romance with Harley Quinn in Joker 2 will be very different as well, should that element be adapted. If Harley Quinn's origins are the same from the comics, then it's extremely likely that her dynamic with the Joker will be a crucial storyline for the movie.
Gaga's Harley Quinn Will Likely Be Very Different In Joker 2
Because the first Joker film was more of a character study, it can be expected that Joker 2 will capitalize on that with Harley Quinn being introduced. Lady Gaga's version of Harley could have her own central storyline, and evade many of the issues audiences have found with previous depictions of Harley Quinn, which sometimes suggested she was little more than a love interest. Having a more focused character arc for Harley and a well-adapted dynamic with Joaquin Phoenix's Joker could make her the superior cinematic version of Harley Quinn, who has thus far always existed within ensemble movies. With the movie's musical elements, Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn will probably also have at least one musical performance in character, which is a move that holds a lot of potential given Gaga's own musical talents.
Harley Falling For Fleck In Arkham Makes Sense
Casting Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn may have been an unexpected casting choice, but combining her acting talents with the musical genre suggests that she is the perfect person for the role. Gaga's major acting roles like her Oscar-nominated performance in A Star Is Born and House of Gucci proves she has both the musical and acting chops to play a vulnerable person that falls in love with a psychopath. This also makes sense for Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, who is clearly established as both craving and fearing human connection. One of the final scenes in Joker had an army of citizens supporting him, and if this is indeed proved to be reality in Joker 2, it's likely this will have gained him something of a celebrity status - allowing Harley to become intrigued with Joker's unusual history and outlook in much the same way she does in the comics.
Harley Quinn falling for Arthur Fleck's Joker makes plenty of sense for the Joker sequel, especially if the twisted romance begins in Arkham State Hospital. Having a version of Arkham Asylum in the series isn't just great to have as a central setting, but the location being featured more prominently in Joker: Folie à Deux fixes a DC mistake by fully exploring the potential that a place so rich in comic lore has for a movie adaptation. As seen in other DC films, Joker takes advantage of Harleen Quinzel's role at Arkham Asylum, and she eventually falls for him and often partners up with him. Knowing that Joker has a cult following now, Harley could see that as reason to join him.
