Joker: Folie à Deux adds Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener in mystery roles

Todd Philips’s Joker sequel continues not only to add incredible talent, but more mysterious roles seem to be added to the call sheet for Joker 2.

Earlier today, Deadline reported that Catherine Keener had been tapped to appear in Joker: Folie A Deux in a top secret mystery role. The news comes a few days after actor Brendan Gleeson was also attached to the project.

Gleeson has an impressive list of credits attached to his name, starring in films such as In Bruges, Calvary and The Guard, but many know or recognize Gleeson for his performance as Mad-Eye Moody from the Harry Potter films.

And in the case of Keener, she is known for appearances in Being John Malkovich, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Capote and Into The Wild. She also appeared in Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Netflix’s The Adam Project alongside Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo.

As usual, the trade revealed no other details for either announcement. Though it feels WB and Philips could either be planning something significant. From either tapping into the limitless potential of the DC comics source material or maybe throwing us for a loop. Now it has also been reported by multiple insiders and trades that the sequel will be a take on a musical that will take place in Arkham State Hospital. Adding to this claim of the darker Elseworlds retelling, the title  “Folie à Deux” loosely translates to “madness for two,” a condition generally defined as an identical or similar mental disorder affecting two or more individuals, usually the members of a close family.

If you decipher the subtle trail of breadcrumbs, it could make sense that a spin on the classic Joker and Harley fated meetup could take place, and in the case of who Keener or Gleeson could be playing will one be that will keep fans guessing and serving food for thought for the next two years upon release.

The only known and confirmed details related to the project are Joaquin Phoenix and Zazie Beetz, who are set to reprise their respective roles as Arthur Fleck and Sophie Dumond. Joining the growing ensemble is Lady Gaga, who is currently being reported to play a version of Harley Quinn in this film. It will be a different portrayal than Margot Robbie, who plays the famous DC character in the DCEU shared continuity, starring in films such as Birds Of Prey and The Suicide Squad.

On a brighter note, it has also been reported and revealed that Philips and his crew would have a massive budget of 150 million dollars and that filming is set to begin this December with Phillips directing from a script he penned with Scott Silver. However, on a slight sting, Joker: Folie A Deux is the only film that Warner Bros Discovery has greenlighted as of this article being written.

As of now, no details have been revealed, but it does seem Todd Philps is looking to break the ceiling and go in a darker direction than what DC films are currently known for. Especially with the fact that Joker did receive 12 Oscar Nominations and grossed over $1 billion at the box office as an R-rated film.

Joker: Folie à Deux is currently slated to be released in theaters on Oct. 4, 2024, exactly five years after Joker debuted.