Joker: Folie à Deux Projected for $70M Opening, Below Original's $96M Return with Strong Storyline
T he movie, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, is running in at the domestic opening on a dismal $70 million, while its predecessor, Joker, opened at $96.2 million in 2019. Tracking can sometimes be spotty because many movies do seem to come in above these early forecasts, but it does suggest a pretty significant difference from the record-breaking opening of the first.
The sequel, an unorthodox film with a genre-bending storyline, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and has already sparked considerable discussion and debate. Mixed reviews have emerged, with IMDb describing the movie as "a crime drama musical thriller," which challenges traditional expectations of a superhero film and may confuse some fans.
The original film was a critical and commercial success, earning the Academy Award for Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the legendary Arthur Fleck/Joker, and grossing over $1 billion worldwide, making it difficult for a sequel to surpass its predecessor.
In Joker: Folie à Deux, Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker, now alongside Lady Gaga, who joins the cast as a character seemingly inspired by Harley Quinn. The film hints at a tumultuous and toxic romantic relationship. The supporting cast includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz.
Director Todd Phillips and Phoenix were determined to break the mold of a typical sequel. "We had to swing for the fences," Phillips stated at the Venice press conference, where he was joined by Phoenix and Gaga. The film prominently features musical elements that reflect Arthur Fleck's disturbed psyche.
Warner Bros. has released an official summary, detailing Joker: Folie à Deux as the story of Arthur Fleck's tumultuous journey in Arkham Asylum while awaiting trial for the notoriety he gained from mass shootings as the Joker. His dual life continues to challenge him as he seeks real love and reconnects with his music.
Despite its numerous musical numbers, the film is not classified as a traditional musical, a distinction the studio's promotional team will need to clarify to avoid creating unnecessary confusion among audiences.
Joker: Folie à Deux is categorized as a DC Elseworlds title, a loose term that describes stories outside of the main DC Universe, as envisioned by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.
