Joker 2’s First Audio Clip Breaks An 8 Year Old Harley Quinn Trend

DC recently teased the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux with an audio clip of Harley Quinn that proves the movie will be breaking with a recent trend for the character. This version of Harley Quinn is already a departure from the live-action standard, as it is the first time the role won’t be played by Margot Robbie. As a relatively more recent addition to DC, at least compared to other Batman villains, Harley hasn’t been adapted for live-action nearly as many times as someone like the Penguin or Joker.

More recent depictions of Harley have tended to stay away from depicting a certain period in the character’s history, preferring to present versions that are more in line with Harley’s current reality in DC Comics. Margot Robbie’s version of Harley was well-received, so it will be interesting to see if Lady Gaga’s version in the story of Joker: Folie à Deux is as successful. Lady Gaga does have one advantage in the upcoming DC movie, and that’s that she will be given a story that Robbie’s Harley never got to fully tackle.

First Joker: Folie à Deux Audio Clip Reveals Harley In Love With Joker

Harley’s First Line From Joker: Folie à Deux Was Revealed In A TikTok Promotion

Harley’s first revealed line from Joker: Folie à Deux is, “you’re Joker, you can do anything you want.” This coupled with photos of Joker and Harley in seemingly romantic situations shows that the movie will be depicting Harley’s origin. Harley’s origin as a psychiatrist who falls in love with the Joker was first shown in Batman: The Animated Series, which is also where the character first appeared.

How much Joker: Folie à Deux will stick to the original story is currently unknown. Given that this version of Joker has imagined romances for himself in the past, Harley may not be as interested in him as she initially appears in the promotional images. Still, whether it is real in the universe of the movie or not, showing a Harley who is falling for or already infatuated with the Joker is a break with tradition for recent depictions of the character.

Harley Hasn’t Been With Joker On The Big Screen Since Suicide Squad

Harley Quinn Made Her Live-Action Debut In Suicide Squad (2016)

The last time Harley was seen in an active romantic relationship with the Joker in a movie was Suicide Squad back in 2016. Some of this came in the form of flashbacks to Harley’s origin, but the movie didn’t give a full account of it the way Joker: Folie à Deux seems like it will be. This is due in part to some of their scenes being reportedly taken out of the movie’s theatrical cut.

Since Suicide Squad, DC has focused on telling stories about Harley after she has broken up with the Joker, and the growth she’s gone through because of it. Birds of Prey showed the immediate aftermath of their breakup, as well as Harley working to establish her own identity separate from Joker. This was built on in The Suicide Squad where Harley initially falls in love, then shoots her new paramour after he starts showing some villainous tendencies. Harley alludes to having learned her lesson from a previously bad relationship, showing she had moved past Joker and recognized his major flaws.

This trend has also carried over into the animated version of Harley in Max’s Harley Quinn series. The show is largely dedicated to her post-Joker life and follows Harley trying to establish her own reputation as a supervillain. With recent comics also largely depicting a Joker-free Harley, this seems to be the direction DC is headed with the character.

Is Harley In Love With The Joker A Step Back For The Character?

Recent Depictions Of Harley Quinn Have Stressed Her Independence From The Joker

Initially, Joker: Folie à Deux may seem like a step back for Harley’s development as a character. After seeing a free Harley who is growing towards being healthier, going back to depicting her abusive relationship with the Joker can feel somewhat uncomfortable and a little regressive. What matters most is how much care director Todd Phillips puts into depicting Harley and Joker’s relationship in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Depicting Harley’s origin, if done well, could create a meaningful discussion about the types of situations that can lead to unhealthy relationships. While this would bring the character a step back in terms of her development, it would be DC taking a step forward in fully exploring the problematic nature of their relationship. That said, there are some concerns about how Joker: Folie à Deux will handle this.

Reports are that Joker: Folie à Deux will be a jukebox musical. These types of movies are typically more lighthearted, and not really the type of venue for a serious discussion of intimate partner violence. That isn’t to say it’s impossible to do well, but that Joker: Folie à Deux will have to be careful to balance its chosen presentation style with the heavy subject matter it seems it will be tackling.