Joker: Folie á Deux casting director Francine Maisler has some good words about Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn. While casting the Oscar winner opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker was not her original idea, Maisler revealed that the pop star was so “good” and that she could keep up with Phoenix.
Playing the Harley Quinn part may be challenging, considering how well-received Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Joker’s love interest was in 2016’s Suicide Squad, 2020’s Birds of Prey, and 2021’s The Suicide Squad. However, according to the casting director — while it was director Todd Phillips’ idea to cast the singer and actress for the role — Lady Gaga ended up surprising her.
What did the casting director say about Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn?
During a conversation at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (via IndieWire), Maisler said that Lady Gaga — who has already proven her acting abilities in the award-winning A Star Is Born — was so good she was able to keep up with Phoenix.
“She’s so good in it, you guys. She’s going to blow your mind. I didn’t suggest Lady Gaga. It wasn’t my idea. That was Todd Phillips, before me. But I will tell you, she’s really surprising — and really good. I saw it and I was really surprised,” said Maisler.
She continued, “I mean, we all knew what she could do in “A Star is Born,” but I thought, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of in her wheelhouse.’ Something she could do and just be real. But this… Man, she’s good. Joaquin blows your mind, but that she could keep up with him, and be real — and not just wiped off the screen by what that role is and what the performance is — shows she’s good.”
Besides 2018’s A Star Is Born and the upcoming Joker film, Lady Gaga’s other movie credits include Machete Kills (2013), Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014), and House of Gucci (2021).
Joker: Folie à Deux also stars Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey. It is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024.
