‘Joker 2’ Filming at Soho Hospital In New Jersey
Arkham State Asylum is in New Jersey? Well, according to NorthJersey.com, Joker 2 (Folie á Deux) is being filmed in Belleville at the Soho hospital. Crew members were seen on location on Tuesday (March 28).
The shuttered Essex County Isolation Hospital will reportedly be the home for Arkham State Asylum, where the Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) meets Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). “A good portion of the community is very excited for such a major motion picture being filmed right here in Belleville,” Township Manager Anthony Iacono said per the outlet.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Michael Melham warned that certain roads would be closed during filming and that trespassing on the property is forbidden.
“Various Township Officials and I just finished a site visit and security meeting at the filming location. We also had the opportunity to speak with local residents.
As filming commences, the BPD will be enacting additional security measures,” Melham wrote. “During live scenes, all roads within a site line will be closed. At all other times, only residents showing IDs will be able to access certain streets.”
He continued: “Please know filming is on private property. Please do not trespass or attempt to gain access to the property. Please do not leave your vehicle unattended, it will be promptly ticketed and towed. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.”
The Joker, of course, is Batman’s main adversary, but Batman hasn’t really been a presence in this Joker story (although a young Bruce Wayne appeared in the first film). He first appeared in Batman issue number one in 1940. Harley Quinn, meanwhile, debuted in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992.
Joker: Folie à Deux is a musical sequel to 2019’s Joker. Phoenix won Best Actor at the 91st Academy Awards for his performance. The sequel is set to be released in 2024.
