New 'Joker' Movie Filming In Belleville? Here’s What We Know

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A major motion picture has been filming in Belleville, and according to social media buzz, the Joker may be in town.

Over the past week, social media has been buzzing about filming at the old Essex County Isolation Hospital in Belleville. Although still unconfirmed, internet commenters are mentioning three names: “Joker 2,” Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.

“Joker: Folie à Deux,” the upcoming sequel to 2019’s hit film, “Joker,” is being directed by Todd Phillips and stars Phoenix, who will be reprising his role as Arthur Fleck – or as Batman fans know him: the Joker.

The sequel – which is apparently going to be a full-blown musical – will also feature pop superstar Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.

On Friday, Mayor Michael Melham put out an official statement about the recent shooting, saying that “Yes … it’s true that there is a major motion picture filming in Belleville.”

“While I’m not at liberty to confirm the exact movie, location or the two A-list celebrities that will be here, I can certainly confirm it’s a big deal for Belleville,” Melham wrote.

The mayor added that the filming is taking place on private property and trespassing will not be tolerated. The Belleville Police Department will be securing the area, and there is no parking on the roads or in the surrounding area. Parked vehicles will be promptly ticketed and towed, he said.

“I understand this is exciting for everyone, however we need to give the production team and actors their space,” Melham said.

That hasn’t stopped videos and photos of the movie-making magic from appearing online, as seen in this tweet from @Bc_092, who wrote: “They’re actually filming Joker 2 in my little town.”

The Belleville Watch blog also gave a shout out about the recent filming:

“Well, it's no secret that the Soho Hospital at the corner of Belleville and Franklin avenues has gone Hollywood. While I haven't heard anything official, the consensus seems to be that Joker 2, starring Joaquim Phoenix and Lady Gaga, is shooting at least a few scenes there. As a longtime Batman fan, I'm obviously stoked this is taking place in Belleville. I can definitely see the hospital as the notorious Arkham Asylum, where the villains of the DC Universe often wind up.”

Other comments seen online included:

• “The filming for Joker 2 looks SOOOOOO AWESOME, Belleville NJ baby.”
• “When you live down the street of where they were filming Joker 2 lol one of the guys came into 7/11 and got something drink and he told me they’re filming in Belleville still haha that’s cool I told him ‘where Gaga at.’”
• “The other day I saw someone driving a Gotham City police car and thought nothing of it. They’re filming Joker 2 in Belleville at that haunted ass hospital LMAO.”

JOKER FILMS IN ESSEX COUNTY

For the first “Joker” movie, the production crew chose another Essex County municipality to film in: Newark.

In 2018, the streets of New Jersey’s largest city was transformed into seedy, 1980s-era Gotham City, the prowling ground of the Joker. The Warner Brothers blockbuster explored the origin of the infamous Batman foil as a failed comedian. Producers also filmed in Jersey City.

• See Related: Newark Becomes Gotham City For 'Joker' Movie (VIDEOS)
• See Related: Which Scenes From 'Joker' Movie Were Shot In Newark?

Warner Brothers studios got a big boost from $1.96 million in state tax credits for choosing to film in the Garden State.

The credits for Warner Brothers were awarded as part of the state’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which Gov. Phil Murphy revived into law last year after his predecessor, Chris Christie, let the program expire.

• See Related: Tax Breaks Helped Bring 'Joker' Movie To New Jersey

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