Half a decade after the first Joker hit the screens, the sequel has finally arrived- surrounded by a wave of hype along with rapidly shifting public sentiment. The first Joker was a sensation, having pulled in over $1 billion and winning Joaquin Phoenix the Best Actor Oscar. However, the latest installment, Joker: Folie à Deux, despite featuring the talented Lady Gaga and the Oscar-winning Joker star, has landed on the wrong side of public opinion- and now, the filmmaker is stepping back from the franchise altogether.

The creator of the supervillain origin story has announced his exit from the DCU with the release of his much-anticipated Gotham sequel.

Todd Phillips recently participated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he discussed his plans for the DCU following Joker: Folie à Deux. When asked if he would consider doing a standalone film for Lady Gaga’s character, Harley Quinn, the filmmaker mentioned, "I feel like my time in the DC Universe was these two films,” referring to his two Joker movies with Joaquin Phoenix. Lady Gaga stepping into the role of Harley Quinn was the most intriguing feature of the newly released film, apart from it being a musical.

Lady Gaga had all the charisma, versatility, and creativity necessary to bring such a complex and iconic character to life. Her singing sequences in the musical, from what was seen in the trailer, were also appreciated by fans. In Joker: Folie à Deux, Todd Phillips added his own unique touch by moving away from Harley Quinn's comic book identity. As a result, Gaga’s portrayal was aimed to be more true to the character’s core essence, without some of the over-the-top cartoonish traits. Still, the journey was not without its challenges for the actress.

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In an interview, Lady Gaga shared how Harley Quinn’s character, with her intricate identity and contradictions, almost consumed her.

Before the release of the Joker sequel, Lady Gaga joined PEOPLE for an interview to discuss the uniqueness of her role. “Sometimes in storytelling, I think there's a pull to want to make things make sense,” said Gaga in the interview. She described this tendency as their “enemy” while working on the film. By leaning into Harley’s contradictions, Gaga aimed to deliver a portrayal that felt more authentic and true to life.

Gaga also revealed that she did not completely detach from the character, even after the wrap. “I mean, I didn't bring her home with me,” she clarified while also adding, “Sometimes I've had trouble leaving them”. However, considering the audience's response to this new take on Harley Quinn and the overall format of the Joker movie, combined with Todd Phillips’ exit from the DCU, it appears that Gaga’s fresh interpretation of the iconic DC character may not be making a return anytime soon.

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What do you think about Todd Phillips’ exit from the DCU? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!