Why fans shouldn't expect a Joker 3 on the horizon? Explained

For those who think a Joker 3 is on the horizon following the release of Joker: Folie à Deux, then they should better temper their expectations. The sequel to Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga just released in the cinemas today on October 4, 2024, and it focuses on Arthur Fleck as he is put on trial for the crimes he committed in the original film.

The way Joker: Folie à Deux ends pretty much confirms that a Joker 3 won't happen and this is the end of this saga of DC films. Even director Todd Phillips, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of the film, confirmed that he wouldn't be returning for a potential continuation and that his time in the DC Universe has "ended".

“It’s not really where this movie is headed for me. I feel like my time in the DC Universe was these two films,” said Phillips.

Warning: Spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux to follow

However, the ending for Joker: Folie à Deux sees Arthur Fleck be stabbed by an inmate at Arkham and bleed out on the floor. This concludes Fleck's story who was the Joker for this universe, but it also hints at the real Joker being out there. But most importantly, it does confirm that this universe is done with and Joker 3 pretty much isn't going to be in the cards.

---

How does Joker 2 hint at the real Joker and put a nail in the coffin for Joker 3

Joker: Folie à Deux largely follows Arthur Fleck in Arkham. Picking up two years after the events of the first film, Arthur is now on trial for the death penalty while he also tries to prove that he developed the Joker identity to suppress his trauma and that he is actually mentally ill and needs proper help. This leads to his relationship with Lee being started as well who falls in love with his "Joker" persona.

However, by the end of the film and after being humiliated by the guards at Arkham, Arthur gives up on the "Joker" persona which leads to Lee breaking up with him. Arthur then gets arrested and is taken back to Arkham where he waits for the death penalty to be given to him.

At the end of the film, Arthur is notified that he has a visitor has come to see him. When being escorted out, Arthur is stopped by another inmate who tells him that he has a joker for him. The inmate then goes on to quote Arthur the same words he said to Murray Franklin before shooting him.

"You get what you f****** deserve."

Arthur is then brutally stabbed by the inmate multiple times before he falls off onto the floor and bleeds out. In the background, the inmate who stabbed Arthur can be seen laughing maniacally while he takes the knife and then carves a "smile" across his face with it. This pretty much hints that Arthur's Joker led to the creation of the actual maniacal Joker who Batman would then go on to fight in the future.

However, while Arthur's story has ended and a Joker 3 doesn't seem to be likely happening in the future, Todd Phillips has previously come back to direct sequels like The Hangover 2 and The Hangover 3. So perhaps, even though Joker 3 isn't happening for now and fans shouldn't keep out hope for it, Phillips may return if he thinks there is a story to tell.

But the question would remain, what direction could Phillips possibly take Joker 3 in?

---

What is Joker 2 about?

Joker: Folie à Deux is set two years after the events of the first film. Arthur is now in Arkham and trying to prove that he has a dual identity while Gotham's assistant DA Harvey Dent pushes for him to get the death penalty. However, at Arkham, Fleck meets Lee with whom he gets into a relationship, and finds a new reason to continue to live.

The film stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, with Todd Phillips directing it. Viewers can catch Joker: Folie à Deux in cinemas right now.