Todd Phillips’ long-awaited Joker sequel was not well received at the box office and losses could reach up to $200 million for Warner Bros.
It seems that the bet on Arthur Fleck’s return failed to capture the public’s attention as expected. Despite the initial enthusiasm, Joker: Folie à Deux suffered a sharp decline in its second weekendofficially becoming a box office flop according to various industry reports. Preliminary data indicates that the film could leave a hole in Warner Bros.’ accounts of up to $200 million.
Too risky approach?
The sequel, directed by Todd Phillips and played again by Joaquin Phoenix next to Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, has grossed just $51.5 million in the U.S. to date and $165 million in total globally. This is a fairly modest result when compared to the first film, achieved in 2019 more than $1 billion at the global box office. What went wrong in this case?
Joker: Folie a Deux opted for a musical and dark approach, which some critics have described as “risky” Yes “offline” of the tone that catapulted the first episode to success. David A. Grossan analyst at Franchise Entertainment Research, commented: “If the production company and creative team had committed to making a sequel – and why wouldn’t they have done so after the first film’s $1.08 billion – they would have faced a difficult challenge trying to offer a new chapter that would keep the audience glued.”
Gross also recognized the value of Phillips and his team for trying something different, affirming that the first film “It worked by being a fresh and timely response to the dominant superhero narrative.”. However, he added it “On this occasion none of this worked”. The more experimental tone and the decision to integrate musical elements did not please the general public, and the numbers reflect the disapproval.
Warner Bros. isn’t giving up yet
Warner Bros.however, he is not ready to throw in the towel. In a statement, a company spokesperson rejected the rumors and denounced them “incorrect calculations” and stating that estimates made by “insiders” or “rival executives” they do not reflect reality. “The film is still screening and will be released soon in China. Additionally, we continue to generate revenue across home entertainment and accessory platforms,” the company indicated.
With the launch in streaming platforms scheduled for October 29, the studio hopes to recoup some of its investment and minimize the impact of this unexpected failure. However, there is no doubt about this Warner Bros. expected a similar performance to its predecessorespecially after the successful debut of the first film and the positive reception it received.
The challenge of creating a sequel
Critics and audiences seem to agree on this point Joker: Folie a Deux It failed to achieve the magic of the original. Phillips’ artistic decisions, such as the inclusion of musical elements and a more introspective narrative, did not connect with audiences in the same way as they did in 2019. Additionally, comparison with the recent box office records of Deadpool and Wolverine adds an unfavorable contrast.
The cast, which also includes famous actors such as Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener Yes Zazie Beetzit had the promise of attracting audiences eager for quality entertainment. However, it seems that neither the presence of Lady Gaga Not even Phoenix’s acting ability could save Folie à Deux from box office rejection. The film has a rating R due to its violent content, strong language, sexuality and nudity, which may also limit the audience.
What’s next for Phillips’ Joker?
The big question now is whether Todd Phillips will continue to explore the world of the Joker or if Warner Bros. will decide to end this interpretation of the character. The first chapter stood out for a unique and differentiated vision of the DC Comics universe, with a more realistic and psychological approach to the villain. However, the sequel proved that not all artistic bets have the same impact at the box office.
It remains to be seen whether the launch in China can help soften the financial blow or whether the film will find a second wind on streaming platforms and home entertainment formats. For now the lesson seems clear: Taking risks can be a recipe for both success and disaster.and in the case of Folie à Deux, the coup failed.