Joker: Folie a Deux director Todd Phillips on casting Lady Gaga and his love of musicals

Joker: Folie a Deux fashions sweet music from the combustible chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The former reprises his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck and the latter plays Harlene 'Lee' Quinzel in a dark and melancholy quasi-musical that explores the fallout from the events of the first Joker movie (released in 2019).

The two characters cement their romance in Arkham State Hospital, primarily expressed through dreamlike reveries of song and dance. The film's soundtrack encompasses classic repertory staples like 'What the World Needs Now Is Love (Sweet Love)', all marshalled by returning director Todd Phillips.

We caught up with Phillips for a behind-the-scenes interview and asked him: Is the Joker sequel a musical, and what is it about the genre that he loves so much? Watch the interview below in which he also discusses at length the casting of Lady Gaga and how this influenced the script's take on the classic Harley Quinn character.

If you want more Joker content, scroll down to watch our highlights video from the Cineworld Leicester Square premiere. We were privileged to catch up with the likes of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga on the red carpet to discuss the making of the film and why it's an essential big-screen experience.