The Japanese dub cast for the sequel to the hit 2019 film Joker, titled Joker: Folie à Deux (commonly known as "Joker 2," releasing on October 11th), has been announced.

Hiroaki Hirata, known for his roles as Sanji in ONE PIECE and Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, will reprise his role as Joker from the Japanese dub of the previous movie’s Blu-ray and DVD release. The role of Lee, a mysterious woman played by Lady Gaga, will be voiced by Tomo Muranaka, known for her wide-ranging roles such as Nine Ball in Ocean’s 8, Yuma Kuga in the anime World Trigger, and Aoi Tategami/Cure Gelato in Kirakira☆Precure A La Mode.

The first Joker movie depicted the transformation of Arthur, a lonely but kind-hearted man with dreams of becoming a comedian, who believes that a life filled with laughter is beautiful. As he struggles as a clown performer in the corners of the city, he descends into the charismatic villain, Joker.

In Joker 2, set two years later, Joker’s madness spreads to the masses through the mysterious woman Lee and live court broadcasts, igniting a new chaotic spectacle that engulfs the world. What has become of the man who became Joker?

Reflecting on his return as Joker, Hirata commented, “I had heard rumors about a sequel a long time ago, but I also heard there were a lot of singing scenes, so I assumed there wouldn't be a Japanese dub version, which made me feel both sad and somewhat relieved. So when I was officially asked to return, I was incredibly nervous.”

He added, “Like in the previous film, I focused solely on staying close to Joaquin’s portrayal of the character. However, this time I felt Arthur’s darkness even more deeply, and I was surprised to find myself being careful not to let it affect my own mental state.”

Tomo Muranaka, voicing Lee, commented, “She’s a woman who can blend into her surroundings but lives with a constant sense of discomfort. From an outsider’s perspective, she does some outrageous things, but everything adds up. If anything, she’s quite rational. She’s an unbalanced and fascinating character, combining both delicacy and boldness.”

Muranaka also shared a message, saying, “It might be fun to look up the meaning of 'Folie à Deux' before watching and imagine what kind of story it will be. While you can enjoy the film on its own, I highly recommend watching the previous one first. I'll be waiting for you at the boundary between fantasy and reality!”

Source : ORICON NEWS