Christopher Nolan‘s highly-publicized departure from Warner Bros might have influenced the direction of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. The connection between Nolan’s exit and the ‘Joker’ franchise might not be immediately apparent.
However, according to THR, the renowned filmmaker’s influence lingered long enough to affect Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck. One of the major decisions attributed to Nolan was altering the original ending to avoid visual similarities between Phoenix and Heath Ledger’s Joker.
Christopher Nolan’s Influence Over ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’s Original Ending
According to the reports, the ending of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ was originally much darker. Instead of the subtle smearing of blood across his lips, the original version was said to feature Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker carving a Glasgow Smile into his own face. Such a similarity would have made Phoenix’s Joker appear almost like a direct homage to Ledger’s iteration.
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Additionally, it might have also overshadowed Phillips’ vision. Christopher Nolan allegedly requested the change. It’s believed that the legendary filmmaker feared Ledger’s performance might be trivialized or undermined. As a result, Phoenix’s Joker retained his distinct look, and the film avoided a potentially contentious overlap between the two portrayals.
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’s Ending Suggests A Connection Between The Two DC Universes
However, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ eventually leaned into a more direct reference to Heath Ledger’s Joker. The climactic ending showcased a new, unnamed Joker, distinct from Arthur Fleck, who carved a smile into his own face. Whether it was a deliberate decision by Warner Bros. to revisit the idea post-Nolan’s exit or a mere coincidence, we can’t say.
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What is clear is that the haunting image instantly recalls Ledger’s Joker. So, a lot of fans speculate that ‘Folie à Deux’ was acknowledging Ledger’s Joker as an enduring legacy. For some, the brutal scene could even be interpreted as an origin moment for Ledger’s version, thus connecting the two otherwise distinct universes.
