Joker: Folie à Deux has dropped today, and according to Scott Lotan, Joaquin Phoenix sounds a lot like him
Film fans, the day is finally here – so run to the cinema and grab your popcorn as Joker: Folie à Deux has just dropped.
Not to skew your opinion before you have even seen it, but the highly-anticipated sequel hasn’t had the best reception so far, seeing its score on Rotten Tomatoes slump down to a measly 39 percent.
And to rub a bit more salt in the wound, there’s a bloke who reckons that he deserves some credit for helping Joaquin Phoenix craft his persona for the Clown Prince of Crime.
Scott Lotan lives with a laughing condition just like the Joker, which causes him to burst into uncontrollable fits of giggles or even tears, and these exaggerated emotions often emerge at quite unfortunate times.
Take a look at this:
The man, from Virginia, US, suffers from something known as the pseudobulbar affect (PBA) which is a neurological condition that can occur in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
It causes him to experience painful and exhausting laughing episodes – which can last up to 10 minutes at a time.
Lotan has no control over his villainous chuckles and they can be triggered at the most inopportune moments, such as in the aftermath of a tragic crash in which his fiancée and mum were killed.
Following the release of Joker in 2019, he shared his thoughts on Phoenix’s performance with LADbible, explaining that he thought the star did ‘a great job’ of conveying the struggles those with PBA face.
However, he believes that the Oscar winner and director Todd Phillips should have at least given him a nod for helping them perfect the DC character’s manic laugh – accusing the pair of ‘stealing his persona’ without any acknowledgement.
Scott Lotan suffers from the pseudobulbar affect (PBA) which causes him to burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter (LADbible)
Speaking to LADbible in 2022, Lotan said: “OK, Joaquin, you don’t eat meat, you want to protect all the animals – what about the people? I mean, you stole my persona.
“You took my identity, and you put it on the screen and made millions, and you can’t help a community? You can’t donate to MS or Parkinson’s or any of these other things? I don’t get it.
“I’ve seen the interviews with Todd Phillips, I’ve seen the interviews with Joaquin, and they make reference to the videos, and that laughter, and how it helped develop the actual character.”
The father-of-two explained that he finds it unjust that the community who provided the blueprint for a quintessential element of Phoenix’s character went unrewarded for their assistance.
Lotan added: “At no single point, one of the highest grossing movies ever, have you reached out to do anything for the community.”
The US dad reckons that Joaquin Phoenix owes him some credit for inspiring his cackle (Warner Bros.)
“The reality is, when you look at my videos on YouTube and you watch that movie, you think about my storyline… It kind of helped form the character, the Joker itself,” the PBA sufferer said.
“No recognition from Todd Phillips, no recognition from Joaquin, or any of it.
“It’s like, not that I care to have you guys come pay me, but do something for the community.”
Lotan’s frustrations were likely spurred on by his life experience as someone living with PBA, as he told LADbible in 2021 how he had been refused service at restaurants and ‘asked to leave’ places as his laugh made people uncomfortable.
“Many times if I am out for a drink with friends, there is someone with low self-esteem that believes I am laughing at them and they will try and start a fight,” he added.
Opening up about how his PBA impacted his grieving process following the deaths of his mother and fiancée in 2003, the dad revealed he had to ‘separate himself’ from other mourners at the funerals due to his laughter.
Lotan explained he hoped the Hollywood star would reward the PBA community for their assistance (LADbible)
For Lotan, the disorder is also physically taxing as well, with his chuckles often leading to uncomfortable choking – something which he praised from Phoenix’s Oscar-winning performance.
“The choking comes from trying to catch my breath, desperately needing to breathe. Also, spit builds up in your mouth and as you pull in a breath the spit goes down the wrong pipe,” he said.
“My neck gets really sore and I am moving my head to try to relieve strain and sometimes that cuts off air.”
Lotan added that having PBA also ‘weighs heavy on the mind’, as the condition is broadly misunderstood, so people often have ‘preconceived notions’ about the real reason behind his amusement.
Praising Phoenix’s portrayal, he said: “I think he captured the feeling of isolation and frustration with the lack of understanding from others.”
That laugh won’t sound the same when you hear it ringing out in the cinemas now, will it?
Featured Image Credit: LADbible/Warner Bros.
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker, TV and Film
Olivia Burke
Joaquin Phoenix spotted ‘walking out’ of Napoleon premiere before even seeing film
It looked like he didn’t even get to see the movie
Joaquin Phoenix has a new movie coming to cinemas, the historical epic Napoleon where he plays the Corsican soldier turned French Emperor throughout his life.
Directed by Ridley Scott, who recently advised people with quibbles about the historical accuracy of Napoleon to ‘get a life’, the film is soon to release on the big screen.
The film is already picking up plenty of glowing reviews and it had a world premiere at the Salle Pleyel in Paris last night (14 November).
However, Phoenix was spotted reportedly leaving the theatre before the film had even started alongside partner Rooney Mara.
Variety’s Elsa Keslassy got a spot of footage of the Napoleon star heading out of the movie theatre and claimed that Phoenix ‘didn’t give any interviews’ at the world premiere of the film.
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Now that the SAG-AFTRA strike has been resolved actors are once again able to promote their films, which includes attending the premiere.
You may remember the moment that the cast of Oppenheimer walked out of the movie’s premiere in solidarity with their fellow striking actors, with the stars able to have about an hour of promoting the film before leaving.
A number of people who saw the video noted that Phoenix ‘famously hates interviews’, while others said he doesn’t tend to watch his own films which would help explain why he didn’t stick around.
According to Variety, director Ridley Scott also decided to duck out of part of the evening, though he ‘skipped the carpet entirely’ and gave a speech on stage before the premiere.
During his speech Scott joked that he’d made 10 movies with Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman and somehow they were ‘still good friends’ after all that.
Joaquin Phoenix didn’t miss journalists during the 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike. He didn’t give any interviews at the world premiere of #Napoleon in Paris. And he walked out of the theater before the movie started. Is he still in character?
Also at the Napoleon premiere was Vanessa Kirby, who plays Josephine de Beauharnais in the movie, and said she had a ‘lot of empathy for her character’.
“It was difficult in many ways to be the feminine in that extremely masculine world and she did such an amazing job of remaining dignified until the end,” Kirby said of her character in the film.
Already very well regarded among critics, Napoleon will be in the running for major awards, with Ridley Scott, Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby likely to be in the running for the big gongs.
While it looks like he didn’t stick around for the movie’s screening at the premiere, Phoenix was in the theatre to see drummers perform on stage while dressed as Napoleonic era soldiers.
Napoleon releases in cinemas on 22 November.
Featured Image Credit: Columbia Pictures/TikTok/Elsa Keslassy
Topics: Joaquin Phoenix, TV and Film, Celebrity
Joe Harker
Fans are freaking out after spotting Steve Coogan in the Joker 2 trailer
Steve Coogan is in the trailer for Joker 2 and we don’t know how to feel about it
Steve Coogan is in the trailer for Joker 2 and honestly, I don’t know how to feel about it.
That is a feeling shared with fans who have spotted the British star in a quick few frames of the newly released trailer, where he appears to be interview Phoenix’s Joker.
The Alan Partridge star has swapped British TV for the stars of Hollywood – as he is now confirmed to be appearing in Joker: Folie à Deux (or just Joker 2 as we’re all probably going to call it anyways).
But we’re all asking the same question, who will he be playing?
The trailer shows Joker continue his infamy from the first film alongside Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, and according to fans online – it looks like Coogan is set to play a character akin to De Niro’s role in the first.
Posting on Reddit, one commenter responded to someone asking if that was Coogan, saying: “Yes. It seems like he’ll be in a similar role to what Robert De Niro had in the first movie.”
Fans were shocked to see Steve Coogan in the trailer for Joker: Folie a Deux. (Warner Brothers)
It seems likely, with Coogan’s character questioning Joker, just as De Niro’s did in 2019’s Joker.
What most people seem to be saying about the situation though: ‘Wait is he seriously in this?’
One post on X said: “I actually laughed out loud when Steve Coogan appeared in the joker trailer.”
Another agreed, saying: “The HOWL I emitted when STEVE COOGAN appeared.”
Some however, theorised this meant an unlikely connection between the crown prince of madness and… honestly a very similar character.
Lady Gaga stars as Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix. (Warner Brothers)
They posted: “Steve Coogan is in this, so this is now part of the Alan Partridge Extended Universe.”
One poster on the subreddit r/movies said: “I saw Steve Coogan and now I want a full film of Alan Partridge trying to get an interview with the Joker, or better yet just making a documentary on Gotham City”
If this is the case (it definitely isn’t) we can only imagine the chaos that will occur.
Steve Coogan is not the only aspect of the trailer causing fans to lose it however, with everyone agreeing it looks f**king awesome.
Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2. (Warner Brothers)
Another commenter on r/movies said: “Actually a good teaser. I had doubts for this film but now I really want to see it.”
Further, one Joker fan posted on X saying: “This just looks absolutely f**king phenomenal. Will definitely be one of the biggest movie phenomenon of the year.”
Well, after seeing that trailer, we couldn’t agree more!
Joker: Folie à Deux will release in cinemas on October 4.
Featured Image Credit: Warner Brothers
Topics: DC Comics, Film, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker, Lady Gaga, TV and Film
Michael Slavin
Incredible first image of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix released for Joker 2
We finally get to see Joker and Harley Quinn together for Folie à Deux
Lady Gaga has shared the first image of Joker: Folie à Deux and it looks incredible.
It shows Joaquin Phoenix’s character pushing Gaga against a wall and the tension is palpable.
Folie à Deux 🃏
The singer is playing Harley Quinn in the highly-anticipated sequel, so this image could be when the two meet for the very first time.
One person reacting to the photo said: “ON MY KNEES AND ITS NOT IN PRAYER.”
Another added: “You are gonna be perfect as Dr. Harleen Quinzel and Harley Quinn.”
A third wrote: “WE WILL BE SEATED.”
Folie à deux is a French term that means ‘the shared madness of two’, so we can only imagine what hints this gives up for the sequel.
Considering the only love interest the Joker has in the DC Comics is Harley Quinn, however, it’s worth noting that the term ‘love interest’ is very one-sided.
In the comics, the Joker doesn’t really reciprocate Harley’s feelings and the pair are in a toxic and abusive relationship.
Joker and Quinn meet at the Arkham Asylum, where Harley acts as the villain’s psychotherapist.
At the end of Joker, we saw Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) inside Arkham State Hospital before he makes his daring escape.
The Wrap reports Joker: Folie à Deux will be largely set in Arkham Asylum, so we could get to see how these two cement their relationship.
Alamy
Folie à deux is a French term that means ‘the shared madness of two’.
Margot Robbie, who whas played Harley Quinn in the past, told EW back in 2021 that she needed some time-off from playing the character.
So it was no surprise when she was not cast in to play the criminal queen-pin.
“It was kind of back-to-back filming Birds… and filming [Suicide Squad], so I was kind of like, oof, I need a break from Harley because she’s exhausting,” Robbie told EW.
But, she is really looking forward to seeing Gaga’s take on the character.
She told MTV: “It makes me so happy because I said from the very beginning, all I want is for Harley Quinn to be one of those characters, the way like Macbeth or Batman always gets passed from great actor to great actor.
“It’s such an honour to have built a foundation strong enough that Harley can now be one of those characters that other actors get to have a go at playing.”
Joker: Folie à deux is set to be released on 4 October 2024.
Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Topics: Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker, TV and Film
Stewart Perrie
Joker 2 Confirmed With Joaquin Phoenix Returning As The Iconic Batman Villain
The director has revealed the star will reprise his role as the iconic bad guy, as well as releasing the name of the upcoming film.
It’s finally been confirmed: we’re seeing Joaquin Phoenix reprise his role as the Joker.
Director Todd Phillips took to Instagram with the first confirmation of the 2019 film’s sequel.
He shared the cover of the script alongside the working title Joker: Folie à Deux.
Folie à deux is a French term that means ‘the shared madness of two’, so we can only imagine what hints this gives up for the sequel.
Does the Joker – also known as Arthur Fleck – find himself a companion? Or do his two perceptions of the world intertwine even further? Well, we don’t actually have answers to these questions as Phillips has remained tight-lipped about the film.
But considering the title’s meaning, it could be a hint that we will be introduced to another well-known DC character with close ties to the Joker.
That would be none other than the abominable Harley Quinn.
However, it’s unlikely will see Margot Robbie side-by-side with Phoenix.
She was already been paired with Jared Leto’s take of the evocative villain in Suicide Squad.
Additionally, Robbie has previously said she needs some time-off from playing Harley.
“It was kind of back-to-back filming Birds… and filming [Suicide Squad], so I was kind of like, oof, I need a break from Harley because she’s exhausting,” Robbie told EW.
“I don’t know when we’re next going to see her. I’m just as intrigued as everyone else is.”
But, while we may not be seeing Robbie reprise her character, we will see Phoenix as the Joker once more.
Warner Bros Pictures
In the same Instagram post that revealed the film’s title. Phillips included a shot of Phoenix reading the screenplay.
So we’re going to hedge our bets here and assume we’re seeing him return as the star.
The 2019 Joker film saw Phoenix pick up the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal as the titular villain and garnered a total of 12 Oscar nominations.
It quickly became the highest ever grossing film to be rated R, raking in more than $1 billion (AU $1.3 billion, £775 million) worldwide.
That’s even more impressive when you consider that it only cost $62.5m (AU $84.5 million, £48.4m) to make.
There is currently no release date for Joker: Folie à Deux.
But regardless of when it is released, if the first film was anything to go by the sequel is sure to be a smash hit.
Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
