Warning: Major SPOILERS lie ahead for Joker: Folie à Deux!
Connor Storrie, who played the inmate at Arkham Asylum who killed Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) at the end ofJoker: Folie à Deux, has shared his thoughts on the film’s controversial ending.Joker: Folie à Deuxhas received a lot of negative reactionssince its release, with one common criticism being that Arthur is not the “real” Joker from the comic books who will one day become Batman’s greatest enemy. Instead, the film hints that the Dark Knight’s archenemy is actually the character played by Storrie.
While speaking withTMZ, Storrie talked about how the end of the movie wasn’t a setup for a future installment showing his character’s transformation into Gotham City’s Clown Prince of Crime from the comic books. After stabbing Arthur, Storrie’s character carves a smile on his face, giving himself scars similar to Heath Ledger’s version of the Joker inThe Dark Knight.
However, Storrie says that his character was there to help wrap up Arthur Fleck’s in theJokeruniverse. Despite the reveal of who Storrie’s character is, the actor saysthe ending doesn’t take away the fact that both movies were truly about following Arthur’s story. Storrie’s comments about the film’s ending can be found below:
It definitely wasn’t shut down [theories about New Joker], but it also wasn’t like “Hey, look, this is your future or the future of this character.” For me, it felt very clear that it was Joaquin’s movie - this is following Arthur - so I definitely saw my place in that. It’s not like, “Hey look, this is where I’m going, this is who I am!” I saw it very much as part of that story rather than it becoming something else after that. Yeah, that was very clear.
We do follow Arthur the entire time, so it really is his story, no matter how it ends. It is the story of Arthur Fleck from sort of beginning to end. I was just excited to be there that I wasn’t even really considering what that could mean or where that could go. I obviously know that the Joker has a huge following, I would even say cult following: Joker fans are very into it. But I was honestly just kind of like, “I cannot believe I’m here right now; I cannot believe this is what I’m doing.”
Storrie also talked about what it was like to keep the film’s ending a secret, especially asthe ending was the only thing he knew about the film. He also said that he didn’t think that most of the people who were on the set knew what the plan was for ending Arthur’s story, leading to him having to keep his character’s role in the film a secret for two years after being cast:
It was also so under wraps that I really didn’t know anything else about the movie except for that part in it. Which I don’t think anyone on set knew anything about that. They were very serious about keeping everything on lock. I couldn’t say anything to anyone for two years - I booked that two years ago now… Just being a part of it… I wasn’t even thinking about what that could mean.
What Storrie’s Comments Mean For Joker: Folie à Deux
The Ending Was Not A Setup For A Sequel
Even thoughJoker: Folie à Deux’s endinghints at Storrie’s character being the real Joker, his comments show that the film’s ending is not a setup for a sequel. Instead,the ending is about ending Arthur’s story. This is shown in the final shot in the film by focusing on a dying Arthur, with Storrie’s character just in the background. Todd Phillips, who directed bothJokerfilms, has also said that he has no intention of continuing the series.
AnotherBatman-related movie that wrapped up its story, but also set the stage for another character, was 2012’sThe Dark Knight Rises. The end of the film showed former GCPD officer Robin John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) taking up the mantle of Batman. Although the ending introduced the possibility of continuing the story ofThe Dark Knight Trilogy, both Gordon-Levitt and Christopher Nolan have said that the film’s ending was meant to truly be the end of the series.
Joker 2: 4 Biggest Easter Eggs & DC Comic Connections Explained
Like most superhero movies, Joker: Folie à Deux has plenty of easter eggs and DC connections.
Regardless of the movie’s potential lead in toThe Dark Knight, both Storrie and Phillips' prior comments combined withJoker: Folie à Deux’s box office strugglespoint toward a third installment not getting off the ground. In its opening weekend,the sequel brought in $120 million worldwide, an overall modest haul, save for the fact the break-even point is estimated to be $450 million. Considering theJokersequel’s reviews have been just as divided among audiences as critics, word-of-mouth seems unlikely to carry it forward.
Our Take On Storrie’s Comments
A Phoenix-Less Joker Film Probably Won’t Work
Storrie’s comments about the ending ofJoker: Folie à Deuxshow that a sequel to the film is not likely. Even though the film hints that Storrie is the real Joker, both of the films were truly the story of Arthur Fleck, who is now dead. Since Phoenix’s performance as the character was so praised, even earning him an Academy Award, a sequel without him wouldn’t get viewers as excited to come back. The film’s negative reactions from fans and critics, as well as its struggle at the box office, have also shown that this version of Gotham City has likely run its course.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Cast
Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips' critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker’s lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.
