The experience of recording “Joker: Folie À Deux” already has Joaquin Phoenix with several memorable anecdotes. In a recent interview with Empire, the actor, known for his role as Arthur Fleck, shared how Lady Gaga reacted when she heard him sing for the first time on the recording set.
According to Phoenix, the pop diva’s reaction was unexpected and comical. “I remember she spit out her coffee the first time I sang. It was an exciting moment that made me feel more confident,” the actor joked.
In this second part, Arthur is confined in Arkham, awaiting trial for his crimes. During his stay in the psychiatric hospital, music becomes a crucial part of his life and his relationship with Harley ‘Lee’ Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga.
The singer, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, approached her role with great seriousness, adapting her vocal technique to fit Harley’s personality. Speaking to Empire, Gaga explained how she worked to differentiate her voice in the film from her usual style. “In this movie, I’m playing a character. I worked a lot on my singing so that it came from Lee, not from me as a singer,” Gaga said.
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In addition, Gaga was a constant support for Phoenix during the recordings.The actor recalled the encouraging advice he received from his co-star. “Gaga always told me, ‘Do whatever you feel, it’s okay. ’ For someone who is not a professional singer, it can be awkward, but it’s also very exciting,” Phoenix said.
The actor also mentioned that his vocal performance should reflect the character’s history. “Arthur grew up listening to his mother singing songs on the radio. He’s not a professional singer and he shouldn’t sound like one. He should sound like someone who sings in the shower and starts improvising,” he added.
Director Todd Phillips also spoke about the character’s evolution since the first film. “Arthur was never a criminal mastermind. He’s become an unwitting symbol who now pays for the crimes of the first film, but at the same time finds what he always wanted: love,” Phillips explained.
The cast of “Joker: Folie À Deux” includes Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson and Zazie Beetz. The film is part of the DC Elseworlds initiative, which allows for greater creative freedom by separating itself from the new universe developed by Peter Safran and James Gunn for DC Studios.
