A 'Joker 2' May Be Coming, But The Memes Are Already Here

You're laughing? A sequel to Joker is coming, and you're laughing?

Yes, a Joker 2, while not narratively implied by the end of the first film, may be in the works. The rumor comes from an apparent leak from writer Todd Phillips' lawyer Warren Dern in a Hollywood Reporter feature on the 100 most-powerful lawyers in Hollywood. In the piece, it says, "(Client) Todd Phillips struck a deal to co-write the next Joker installment."

Screenrant caught the possible leak and posted it to Twitter, where it spread quickly.

While a sequel to the 2019 film isn't exactly necessary, it could very well be lucrative for those involved. In 2019, Joaquin Phoenix was said to have asked Phillips if they could start on a sequel after the first film wrapped. In 2020, Phoenix was reportedly offered $50 million to reprise the clown prince of crime for two sequels.

Reactions to the rumors were mixed. The first film was praised and received many awards, including a Best Actor Oscar for Phoenix, but those online during the film's release may remember an exhausting onslaught of discourse surrounding the film. While some were excited, others treated the rumor with a cocktail of resignation and memes.

There's still no official announcement of Joker 2 yet, but the chances of an official announcement coming soon seem strong.