While Joker 2 deals with its disappointing reviews and box office collections, Todd Phillips’ comment on Lady Gaga’s scene rubs fans wrong.

Todd Phillips, Lady Gaga in Joker 2

Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux has not been a worthy successor to its 2019 masterpiece of an original. The Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga starrer continues the journey of Arthur Fleck as he is put on trial for his antics in 2019’s Joker by Harvey Dent. But Gaga’s Harleen Quinzel is there to share in his delusions. And, it’s a musical.

While the film has received mixed to negative responses and a lackluster opening weekend, Phillips’ comments on one deleted scene from the film have rubbed fans the wrong way. When asked why a scene showing Gaga kissing a woman at the courthouse was deleted, Phillips reportedly said that it was improvised and it came in the way of the moment.

Todd Phillips Revealed Why He Deleted Lady Gaga Kissing A Woman In Joker: Folie à Deux

Joker and Lee in Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie à DeuxA still from Joker: Folie à Deux | Credits: Warner Bros.

Fans and critics seem to have come to a consensus for the first time in a while with Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux. The sequel to his 2019 film Joker sees Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix return to the sniggering and suffering part of Arthur Fleck. He is joined by Lady Gaga as this Elseworld’s Harley Quinn or ‘Lee’.

Many fans have criticized Phillips’ decision to turn the sequel into a musical with Phoenix and Gaga both singing live. This seemed to have resulted in the film receiving a rotten rating from both critics and fans on Rotten Tomatoes. However, one comment by Phillips seemingly puts someone else as the reason for its misfire.

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga at the Courthouse in Joker: Folie à Deux | Credits: Warner Bros.

When asked why a scene involving Lady Gaga’s Lee kissing a woman at the courthouse, which was revealed from set photos, was deleted from the film, Todd Phillips said that Gaga improvised the scene and that he imagined it more of a musical moment. He said to EW,

It had dialogue in it, and, all of a sudden, I wanted it to be more of a music and vibe moment. For that moment to have played, it needed dialogue behind it. Meaning, the woman said something, and then Gaga stopped and did this thing, and it just kind of got in the way of the moment.

The filmmaker also mentioned that both Phoenix and Gaga would exchange notes on how to get better at each others’ crafts as their strengths were explored in the film.

Some Fans Think Todd Phillips Blamed Lady Gaga For Ruining Joker: Folie à Deux

Joaquin Phoenix and Lady GagaJoker and Lee in Joker: Folie à Deux | Credits: Warner Bros.

Todd Phillips’ comment about Lady Gaga’s improvised scene where she kissed a woman at the courthouse being wrong for the scene as a whole might be an innocent opinion. After all, he is the director of the film and would have a specific vision in mind. Still, some fans pointed out that the Due Date filmmaker blamed Gaga for ruining the film.

The film reportedly had a lackluster box office opening, with a domestic gross of $37 million, which was much less than expected (via BO Mojo). Phillips’ decisions have been criticized and while he has defended some of them, this comment seems to have rubbed fans the wrong way.

Phillips has also mentioned that this would probably be his last DC film and a threequel was not in the plan (via THR).

Joker: Folie à Deux is currently playing in cinemas.