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01st Nov 2023

Willem Dafoe wants to play Joker alongside Joaquin Phoenix

Charlie Herbert

Willem Dafoe says he'd like to play Joker

The actor suggested the idea of a ‘Joker imposter’ in a sequel

Willem Dafoe has revealed that he would like to star alongside Joaquin Phoenix in a Joker sequel.

Dafoe, who has already made a name for himself in the comic book world thanks to his performances as the Green Goblin in the Spider-Man films, was quick to pitch his idea for a follow-up to Phoenix’s hugely successful feature – and couldn’t hide his desire to feature in it.

Dafoe was speaking last year to GQ ahead of the release of Guillermo del Toro’s thriller Nightmare Alley, which he stars in alongside Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett.

He said: “There is something interesting about, like, if there was a Joker imposter. So it would be possible to have not duelling Jokers but someone that says to be the Joker that isn’t the Joker,” he said.

“And that kind of opens up the possibility of an interesting story, particularly if you had Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, and then you had someone who was either imitating or riffing off what he did.

“I fantasised about that. But other than that I am not talking to anybody [about it], you’re the first one.”

The actor added that despite being known for playing one of cinema’s most infamous comic book villains, he doesn’t prefer those sort of characters anymore than other roles.

He said: “I’ll play dumb. You play characters. I could say, ‘Oh yeah, it’s fun to play villains ’cause you can do things that you can’t do in life, or it’s fun to play with your dark side’.

“But I don’t know. I’m not thinking about those things.”

Meanwhile, Joker’s much-anticipated sequel Joker: Folie à Deux remains in the works.

Starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, the film is set to be released in October of 2024.

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