Summary:
- Joker: Folie à Deux’s teaser trailer was released earlier today, featuring both Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga as Joker and Harley Quinn.
- The theme song of the trailer is Jackie DeShannon’s 1965 classic “What The World Needs Is Love.”
- Unlike the first movie, the song might have a hidden meaning that resembles hope, in contrast to the trailer’s overall dark tone.
At long last, the curtain has been lifted on the first trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” and it hits a high note with its musical selection. The song being played throughout the trailer has perfectly mirrored the turbulent psyche of Joaquin Phoenix‘s Arthur Fleck.
This sequel to Todd Phillips’ monumental “Joker” in 2019 is shaping up to be a musical extravaganza, unlike anything the DC universe has seen before. Adding to the intrigue is the songstress Lady Gaga stepping into the role of Harley Quinn, promising a refreshingly complex portrayal of DC infamous duo’s relationship. Let’s see how the trailer intriguingly downplays the film’s musical essence.
The visuals teased in the “Joker: Folie à Deux” trailer is a symphony of classic musicals and Broadway shows, with Joker and Harley Quinn taking center stage. Though both Lady Gaga and Phoenix have demonstrated their musical prowess in previous roles, the trailer keeps us guessing, overlaying scenes with a cover version of a classic song rather than showcasing any original performances by the duo.
The main song of the trailer is a modern take on Jackie DeShannon’s 1965 hit “What The World Needs Is Love.” This choice isn’t just a nod to the past; it’s a deliberate echo of the film’s deeper narrative themes than the first. The original track, written by Hal David, known for its simple yet profound call for love and peace, finds a new darker meaning in the trailer, hinting that the movie might lean into a ’60s musical vibe alongside its other selections.
Coincidentally, this timeline is also the prime era of Bob Kane’s Batman comic.
“Joker: Folie À Deux” is already confirmed to be a jukebox musical brimming with blasts in the past reinterpretations of 15 iconic songs, including a nod to the 1953 classic “The Band Wagon.” The inclusion of “What The World Needs Is Love” in the trailer not only continues Phillips’ tradition of blending eras and musical genres, but also sets a thematic tone for the sequel, which is far more different than the first movie.
In the 2019 prequel, “Send in the Clowns” and Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” are the focal points, presenting the devastating twists in Arthur Fleck‘s mind that gradually turn him into a monster, and how he accepts the “evil” lies deep within.
Meanwhile, “What The World Needs For Love”’s hopeful plea may foreshadow a new chapter in the Joker’s saga. Where “That’s Life” represented acceptance in the first film, “What The World Needs Is Love” seems to be a beacon of hope, mirroring Fleck’s longing for connection in a world that often seems devoid of kindness.
With Harley Quinn’s entrance into his life, perhaps in this much-anticipated sequel, Fleck is on the verge of discovering the “sweet love” he desperately seeks.
