Lady Gaga disappeared into character when she was first spotted filming the upcoming Joker sequel in New York this week.
Rumors have been circulating for weeks that the 36-year-old pop act is playing Harley Quinn, the wild lover of the Joker from the Batman comics.
Her on-set appearance certainly did little to quell the suspicion, from her clownish makeup to her playing-card-inspired costume.
She was also seen at one point during the scene holding a large cardboard sign that read “JOKER MARRY ME.”
In a dramatic twist, Saturday’s shooting happened to be outside the Manhattan courthouse hosting the Trump grand jury, reports WNBC.
Workaday: Lady Gaga disappeared into character as she was spotted filming the upcoming Joker sequel in New York this week
Word has gotten around: For weeks, rumors have been circulating that the 36-year-old pop act is playing Harley Quinn, the wild lover of the Joker from the Batman comics. Her on-set appearance certainly did little to quell the suspicion, from her clownish makeup to her playing-card-inspired costume
Also: She could be seen at one point during the scene carrying a large cardboard sign that read “JOKER MARRY ME.”
The grand jury has caught the world’s attention as it investigates allegations that the former US President paid hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, who accused him of having sex with her while he was married to his third wife, Melania was.
Outside the courthouse, another tense scene unfolded as Gaga’s character was apparently held down by police during a protest.
Protesters lined the stairs leading to the courthouse waving placards with slogans including: “NO Justice, NOT Guilty, NOT Joke” and “FREE JOKER.”
The previous film in the franchise followed the morph of a mentally disturbed failed comedian into the serial-killing supervillain that Batman fans have come to know.
At the end of the picture, the Joker is arrested and thrown into Arkham Asylum after watching late-night TV, confessing to several murders, and then shooting the host in mid-air.
His arrest sparks riots across Gotham City, and the scene, which will be filmed this Saturday, suggests public support for him will continue in the sequel.
The protesters at Saturday’s scene had a distinct role-playing vibe, with some wearing Joker makeup, one carrying around a massive wooden cross and another dressing up as a grim reaper with a scythe.
In a nod to the arson setting of the protest scene, some of the police officers’ costumes on Saturday included riot gear.
Incidentally, in a dramatic twist, Saturday’s shooting happened to be in front of the Manhattan courthouse hosting the Trump grand jury, reports WNBC
Take ’em with you: Another tense scene unfolded outside the courthouse as Gaga’s character was apparently pinned down by police during a protest
Background: The grand jury has caught the world’s attention as it investigates allegations that the former US President paid hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels
On site: Protesters lined the steps leading up to the courthouse and waved placards with slogans including: ‘NO Justice, NOT Guilty, NOT Joke’ and ‘FREE JOKER’.
Meanwhile: Gaga wrapped a long black anorak around her costume between takes to ward off the northeastern cold of her native New York City
Going on the barricades: The protesters in Saturday’s scene had a distinct role-playing vibe, with some wearing Joker makeup, one lugging around a massive wooden cross and another dressing up as a Grim Reaper with a scythe
Prepared: As a reference to the arson setting of the protest scene, some of the police officers’ costumes on Saturday included riot gear
Meanwhile, between takes, Gaga wrapped a long black anorak around her costume to ward off the northeastern chill of her native New York City.
It was previously reported that the scene being filmed outside the courthouse would involve explosives and around 700 extras.
Signs were put up on some streets in advance to block parking spaces and the day before shooting the cranes and tents for production arrived.
Although the film was rumored to be called Joker: Folie à Deux, signs said the film, which was being filmed in the area, was titled Juliet.
Upon its release in 2019, the first Joker film became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, earning a best actor Oscar for its lead actor, Joaquin Phoenix.
Todd Phillips, the director of the first installment, has returned to his job on the Joker sequel, which he also co-wrote with Scott Silver.
On Valentine’s Day, Todd shared an Instagram picture of Gaga and Joaquin making romantic eye contact.
Reports are circulating that the new Joker movie is set to be made into a musical, even though its predecessor wasn’t.
Original star: Margot Robbie appeared as Harley Quinn in three different films from the DC comic book universe – including Suicide Squad
Pulling the registers: It was previously reported that the scene being filmed outside the courthouse would involve explosives and around 700 extras
Preparation: Signs were put up on some streets in advance, blocking off parking lots, and the day before shooting the cranes and tents arrived for production
Follow-up: Upon its release in 2019, the first Joker film became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, earning a best actor Oscar for its lead actor, Joaquin Phoenix
Back in action as Todd Phillips, the director of the first installment, has returned to his job on the Joker sequel, which he also co-wrote with Scott Silver. On Valentine’s Day, Todd shared an Instagram picture of Gaga and Joaquin making romantic eye contact
Will Gaga sing?: Reports have been circulating that the new Joker movie is set to be a musical, even though its predecessor wasn’t
Of course, Gaga is no stranger to movie musicals, having starred in and written songs for Bradley Cooper’s remake of A Star Is Born.
The original version of A Star Is Born starring Janet Gaynor was released in 1937, followed by two remakes starring Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand before the Gaga film.
Her rendition of A Star Is Born earned Gaga an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Shallow, a duet she sings with Bradley’s character in the film.
Bradley first became an international superstar in Todd Phillips’ film The Hangover, and he also happens to be a producer on the Joker films.