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Filmmaker Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” has just hit cinemas, stirring up excitement and intense discussions among fans and critics alike. As the highly anticipated sequel to the original “Joker” (2019), it has garnered attention not only for its box office potential but also for the multiple interpretations of its thematic layers and shocking finale. A major talking point is the film’s ending, which shifts the direction of Arthur Fleck’s tragic arc from the first film.
In a twist, new details about the film's original ending have emerged, offering an intriguing glimpse into how the story could have concluded differently. This revelation has left fans speculating about the significance of what could have been and how it might have reshaped the characters' trajectories.
Warning: Major Spoilers Ahead for “Joker: Folie à Deux”
The conclusion of “Joker: Folie à Deux” sees Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck taking full responsibility for the crimes he committed during the events of the first movie. Rather than continuing to revel in his Joker persona, Fleck seemingly rejects it as a figment of his imagination—a delusion he had wrapped himself in as a coping mechanism for his fractured mental state. His confession signals a moment of self-awareness, but the fallout is grim.
Arthur attempts to reconcile with Lee, portrayed by Lady Gaga, whose character has loomed large in the sequel. In an emotionally charged scene, she ultimately rejects him and walks away, leaving Fleck to surrender himself. He returns to Arkham Asylum, where, in a brutal twist, another inmate stabs him. This attacker, one of Arthur’s "fans," appears to have been inspired by the Joker’s anarchistic persona, suggesting that the Joker ideology may live on in others, even as Fleck himself relinquishes it.
Many fans have voiced their disappointment with “Joker: Folie à Deux” for its unexpected and, to some, underwhelming ending. Instead of fully embracing the Joker persona, Arthur Fleck’s rejection of the identity left audiences frustrated, as many hoped to see him evolve further into the iconic villain. The decision to have him disavow the Joker as a fantasy felt like a letdown to fans who had anticipated a more intense transformation. This departure from expectations, coupled with a conclusion where Arthur is fatally stabbed rather than continuing his anarchic reign, has been labeled as “lame” by some, who feel the film missed the opportunity to fully deliver on the Joker's chaotic potential.
However, reports and newly surfaced footage have revealed that this wasn’t the film’s original ending.
The Alternate Ending: Harley Quinn's Dramatic Transformation
According to various sources, including well-known insiders like MyTimeToShineHello (via Comic Book Movie), the filmmakers had initially scripted a far more bombastic and darker conclusion. The alternate ending involved a key shift in the dynamic between Arthur and Lee (who becomes Harley Quinn).
In this version, the relationship between Arthur and Lee takes a far more sinister turn, ending with Lee fully embracing her Harley Quinn persona. This new Harley tracks Arthur down to the iconic staircase from the first film—where Arthur danced triumphantly in his Joker guise—and delivers a shocking, fatal blow. After killing Fleck, Harley Quinn, now completely unhinged, performs a theatrical rendition of “That’s Entertainment” on the steps while the authorities close in on her.
This version of the ending offers a more traditional comic-book-style conclusion, with Harley Quinn stepping into the role of central villain and Fleck’s story coming to a definitive and brutal close. The performance of “That’s Entertainment” would have mirrored the chaotic absurdity of Arthur’s dance from the first film, but with an added layer of tragic irony, as the twisted love story reaches its fatal climax.
Why the Ending Was Changed
Despite the filming of this dramatic sequence, the final cut of “Joker: Folie à Deux” took a more subdued approach, focusing on Arthur's acceptance of his crimes and the rejection of his alter ego. While no official explanation has been provided as to why the alternate ending was scrapped, reports suggest that director Todd Phillips and lead actors Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga spent considerable time reworking the script throughout production. In fact, Lady Gaga shared in a Vanity Fair interview that they often gathered in Phoenix’s trailer to dissect and rewrite the script, tearing it up and starting from scratch multiple times.
Phillips has since confirmed that the film underwent significant rewrites, with the final act likely being one of the most reworked sections. Some speculate that the studio’s decision to avoid a test screening—contrary to earlier rumors—might indicate that the creative team wanted full control over the film's narrative direction without external influence. However, the reason for opting for a more restrained conclusion over the operatic alternate ending remains a subject of debate.
The Impact of the Alternate Ending on the Joker Universe
Had the filmmakers opted for the Harley Quinn-led ending, the tone of “Joker: Folie à Deux” might have veered closer to the comic book roots of the characters, where violence and spectacle take center stage. Harley Quinn, originally a sidekick and love interest for the Joker in DC comics, would have emerged as a dominant figure in the franchise. This shift would also have created a more direct connection to the broader DC Universe, where Harley Quinn is a well-established antihero.
Instead, the final version of the film seems to focus on Arthur’s personal descent into madness and his disillusionment with the Joker persona. While this offers a more introspective look at the character, it also leaves the door open for future interpretations of both the Joker and Harley Quinn in potential sequels.
As fan discussions around the movie’s conclusion continue to grow, the revelation of this alternate ending adds fuel to the fire of speculation. Would audiences have preferred the spectacle of Harley Quinn’s violent rise, or is the current ending more fitting for the psychological tone of the Joker films? The debate is far from over, but one thing is clear: “Joker: Folie à Deux” continues to captivate and divide its audience, much like its predecessor.
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Source: Dan Lalonde
Photo Credit: DC
Social Media Hashtags: #JokerSequel #HarleyQuinn #AlternateEnding #MovieNews
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