The true location of Gotham City has long been a subject of debate, with various portrayals in films, TV shows, video games, and comics offering conflicting details. Director Todd Phillips is ready to weigh in on this topic with ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’.
While many believe Gotham is based in New Jersey, Phillips challenges that notion. Although the term “Gotham” originally referred to New York City, its exact geographical placement has remained ambiguous since Batman’s city was first mentioned in ‘Batman #4’ in 1940. “Well, Gotham is often said to be in New Jersey,” he shared with IGN. “It was discussed. Not with anyone at DC, it was discussed amongst ourselves.”
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The upcoming film follows Arthur Fleck as he faces prosecution led by Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent, with the case officially titled ‘The State of New York vs. Arthur Fleck.’ Clear indicators, such as license plates and legal documents, further affirm that Gotham is situated within New York State. “We just kinda went with the ‘who are we kidding’ idea,” Phillips noted, adding that “The State of New Jersey vs. Arthur Fleck” didn’t quite resonate.
In ‘Joker’, Gotham drew heavily from the vibe of 1980s New York, a choice Phillips made to distinguish his work from Warner Bros.’ DC Extended Universe and James Gunn’s future reboot.
“One reason was to separate it quite frankly from the DC universe,” he explained to CinemaBlend. “When I pitched to Warner Brothers, I wanted to make it clear that this isn’t interfering with what you have going on. This is a separate universe, set in the past.” Filming took place in Newark, New Jersey, and New York City.
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‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ picks up two years after the first film, where Arthur has been institutionalized at Arkham State Hospital following his violent outbursts. Phillips promises an exploration of Arthur’s insanity, aiming for a film that feels as if it were crafted by “crazy people.”
With the sequel set to premiere in October, Phillips hints that this will be his final chapter in Arthur Fleck’s story, providing a resolution to the troubled character’s journey.
–Farheen Ali