‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Tracking for $70M-Plus Opening, Well Behind First Film’s $96M Debut

‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Tracking for $70M-Plus Opening, Well Behind First Film’s $96M Debut

As a gamer with over two decades of immersion in the world of gaming, I must admit that my initial excitement for “Joker: Folie à Deux” was tempered by the unusual genre-busting storyline and the label of a “crime drama musical thriller”. However, having grown up playing games like “Grand Theft Auto” and “Red Dead Redemption”, I’m no stranger to the blending of genres.


Warner Bros. faces some significant challenges ahead as they prepare for the release of Todd Phillips’ controversial sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which hits North American cinemas in just three weeks.

The film featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga is projected to debut domestically with earnings over $70 million, though it’s anticipated to fall at least $10 million short of the opening for the first Joker movie in 2019, which ultimately smashed box office records by launching with a domestic take of $96.2 million. It should be noted that pre-release tracking isn’t always accurate, and many recent films have exceeded their predicted openings.

However, it’s undeniable that the release of Joker 2 has sparked debate and garnered mixed reactions, largely due to its innovative, genre-blending plotline following its debut at the Venice Film Festival. A film categorized as a “crime drama musical thriller” on IMDb is not often encountered, which may leave some regular superhero movie enthusiasts perplexed.

Initially, the movie “Joker” turned out to be a triumph in both critical acclaim and commercial profit. Specifically, Phoenix clinched the Oscar for Best Actor thanks to his chilling portrayal of Arthur Fleck/Joker, while the film itself grossed over $1 billion at global box offices.

In the sequel, Phoenix reprises his lead role, with Gaga joining as a character modeled after Harley Quinn from the comics. Their characters in the original source material portray a destructive romantic relationship, and the title “Folie à Deux” reflects a mental disorder affecting two or more people, which is also the name of the film. The supporting cast features Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz.

Phillips and Phoenix were not keen on creating a conventional follow-up for Joker, instead emphasizing that “Joker 2” needed to be bold and daring, as if they were taking a big swing at a home run, according to Phillips at a press conference in Venice. They elaborated that the sequel would heavily incorporate the musical aspect that reflects Arthur Fleck’s distorted mindset.

The official summary of the film, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” states that Arthur Fleck is now confined at Arkham, awaiting trial for his actions as the Joker. As he struggles with his dual persona, Arthur unexpectedly finds true love and uncovers the music that has been hidden inside him all along.

Despite having numerous melodic patterns, it’s important to note that the sequel to “Joker,” Joker 2, doesn’t follow the conventional path of a musical film. The marketing department will need to be cautious in their approach to avoid perplexing audiences by giving an incorrect impression.

The upcoming Joker movie is a part of the DC Elseworlds line, meaning it’s a standalone story not tied to the main DC Universe, and will be created by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.

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2024-09-12 19:54