Todd Philips, the director of the smash-hit DC movieJoker,has congratulatedDeadpool & Wolverinefor becoming the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time with a hilarious, dance-themed post on social media.Jokerput a fresh spin on the origin story of Batman’s most iconic villain. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Phillips' version of the character was less of a Crown Prince of Crime, and more of a regular person living with a psychiatric disorder who also has aspirations of becoming a stand-up comedian. Inspired by Martin Scorsese’sKing of Comedy,Jokerquickly became the highest grossing R-rated movie following its release in 2019. ButDeadpool & Wolverinehas blown that record out of the water, grossing over $1.08 billion globally.
To celebrateDeadpool & Wolverine’s achievement, Todd Philips took toInstagramto share his heartfelt congratulations. Alongside a screenshot from an article officially announcing thatDeadpool & Wolverineis now the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time, Philips shared an edited image combining iconic scenes fromDeadpool & WolverineandJoker. While both movies are well-regarded by fans, social media has latched on toJokerandDeadpool & Wolverine’s dance scenes. The photo posted by Todd Philips showed Dancepool preparing to launch into his “Bye Bye Bye” dance fromDeadpool & Wolverine’s opening credits at the top of the staircase fromJoker.Below the photo, Philips wrote:
“Have to tip my hat to [Ryan Reynolds] and [Shawn Levy] for this absolute steam roller of a movie. We knew it was gonna be big, but this is too much. 😂 Congrats to everyone involved!!”
Check out Todd Philips' post below:
Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker dance (featuring various kicks and slides, all controversially set to Gary Glitter’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)") blew up the internet following the film’s release. Thousands of fans visited the real-life location in Manhattan dressed as Phoenix’s Joker to dance their way down the stairs. The dance trend became an online sensation. That effect has been recreated byDeadpool & Wolverine’s opening credits. Set to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” Dancepool brutally kills the TVA’s soldiers, while occasionally cutting away to dance for the camera. Like theJokerdance,Deadpool & Wolverine’s credits have become an equally popular trend online, helping to propel the movie’s box office figures.
Joker 2 Will Feature Even More Music
The dance scene inJokerwas one of few musical moments in Todd Phillips' first movie, which featured several needle drops, including an incredible use of Cream’s “White Room” as the Joker is arrested by the Gotham City PD, but it didn’t have any musical numbers. However,the upcoming sequel,Joker: Folie à Deux, is dialing its musical madness up to 11. According to Phillips,Folie à Deuxis a full-blown musical. Co-starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, the long-awaited sequel will feature full-on musical numbers as the pair’s relationship forms at an unspecified mental asylum (which many fans believe to be Arkham Asylum).
Lady Gaga Was ‘Spitting Up Her Coffee’ When She Heard Joaquin Phoenix Sing
Hearing Joaquin Phoenix belt out a tune wasn’t exactly music to Lady Gaga’s ears when he first sang in front of the Grammy winner.
The first trailer forJoker: Folie à Deuxalready has fans excited about the sequel. The movie hits theaters this October, following itsworld premiere at the 81st Venice Film Festival.The festival’s chief, Alberto Barbera, has already seen the movie and has bestowed Phillips' work with unbelievably high praise. Barbera tried categorizing the movie into a single genre, calling it “a dystopian musical, or a musical of sorts.” He then said:
“I think it’s one of the most daring, brave and creative films in recent American cinema. And I think it really confirms Todd Phillips as one of the most creative directors working at the moment.”
Joker: Folie à Deuxreleases in theaters worldwide on July 25, 2025.
