Joker 2 to have ‘complicated musical sequences’ like A Star Is Born, reports say

You might not think A Star Is Born fans would be a key target audience for the upcoming Joker sequel, but a new report indicates the two movies will have a lot in common.

The hit 2018 musical and the sequel to the dark crime-thriller both star Lady Gaga, who has joined the Joker franchise and is suspected to be taking on the role of Harley Quinn opposite Joaqiun Phoenix's Arthur Fleck.

Gaga's involvement in the sequel, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, goes hand-in-hand with the revelation that it's set to be a musical; something which took fans by surprise after the gritty, intense nature of the first film.

The report from Variety reveals there will be 'complicated musical sequences', indicating the 'musical' aspect of the film will play a big part, but an insider made clear it will be 'more like A Star Is Born than In the Heights, the catchy musical based on the stage show by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

It seems likely, then, that rather than having the characters randomly burst into song, that the songs will be more purposefully staged, as is the case in A Star Is Born.

In the musical, in which Gaga starred in 2018, her character finds fame by singing thanks to the encouragement of an already-famous musician, who brings her out on stage to perform in front of millions.

Warner Bros.

Though the musical numbers might not be as obviously showy as more upbeat musicals, they are said to be costly to produce. The report reveals the sequel will cost a total of about $150 million (£123.7m), including the cost of the sequences and the salaries of those involved in the project.

Both Phoenix and director Todd Phillips are believed to be getting $20m (£16.5m) for the film, while Gaga is being paid $10m (£8.2m) for her appearance, which will likely also see her show off her voice.

Though Gaga's character has not yet been confirmed, the title of the film may hint at what we could expect from her character, as folie à deux means an identical or similar mental disorder affecting two or more individuals. It could be that she shares Fleck's condition; something which has led many to speculate that she will take on the role of Harley Quinn.

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