Zack Sharf Digital News Director “Joker: Folie á Deux” casting director Francine Maisler revealed during a recent chat at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (via IndieWire) that casting Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix was not originally her idea.
It was director Todd Phillips who apparently picked the pop star and “A Star Is Born” Oscar winner for the part. However, Gaga ended up surprising Maisler. “She’s so good in it, you guys.
She’s going to blow your mind,” Maisler said. “I didn’t suggest Lady Gaga. It wasn’t my idea. That was Todd Phillips, before me.
But I will tell you, she’s really surprising — and really good. I saw it and I was really surprised. I mean, we all knew what she could do in ‘A Star Is Born,’ but I thought, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of in her wheelhouse.’ Something she could do and just be real.
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