The release of Joker in 2019 was naturally followed with responses from fans inquiring about a follow-up. After all, franchising is the key goal with today’s superhero market, and there are certainly plenty of possibilities when the Joker is your subject. Though director Todd Phillips wasn’t certain a sequel would be made, fans were eventually treated to the announcement of Joker: Folie à Deux, a continuation that’s finally coming this year. As for Joker 3, however, that seems less likely.
As mentioned, Phillips initially felt as though his Joker story would conclude with the original movie. After its critical and financial success, however, he and star Joaquin Phoenix found an angle that worked perfectly for a sequel. They decided to introduce the Joker’s love interest, Harley Quinn, and combine the two along with musical elements.
Now, while speaking with Variety, Phillips feels as though he’s reached his limit with his Joker story. As such, he’s not sure if a Joker 3 would ever be a possibility. Here’s what he shared:
“It was fun to play in this sort of sandbox for two movies, but I think we’ve said what we wanted to say in this world,” he revealed.
Rather, Phillips insisted that he’d love to return to the comedy genre. Fortunately, it looks like he’d still be open to collaborating with Phoenix in the future, albeit on one of said comedies.
“I’d love to keep working with Joaquin but on a comedy, because he can be so loose and funny,” Phillips says. “And I think people really want comedies right now. The trailer for ‘Joker 2’ sort of sums things up when it says, ‘What the world needs now is love.’ But I would go farther: We could use a good laugh too.”
Of course, if the next Joker movie is a success, then it certainly lends itself to the possibility of a Joker 3. Perhaps it will take more time to find the right story, but if Phillips and Phoenix find an angle that captures their attention, then Joker 3 could easily be on the table. Otherwise, fans should be prepared to see the story to its end with Joker: Folie à Deux.