The Unfortunate Tale of “Joker: Folie a Deux”
“Joker: Folie a Deux” is currently on show on over 4,100 screens across North America. Despite the plan for a VOD and streaming release on Max at a future date, the financial prospects look bleak. The revenue from streaming is unlikely to bridge the existing gap. Up to now, the sequel has grossed a meagre $165.3 million globally, with a disappointing $51.6 million domestic contribution. The film will be fortunate to reach the $65 million mark. Negative reviews have caused the film to plummet globally, with a 71% drop in overseas viewership last weekend. It’s clear that this film won’t be saved by international audiences.
The Success of the First “Joker”
The original “Joker” film was produced on a budget of just $60 million and raked in over $1 billion worldwide. It became an Oscar-winning sensation. However, the sequel, with a budget in the vicinity of $200 million, has not enjoyed the same success. The record-breaking drop in viewership has been a hard pill to swallow. If Warner Bros. and Phillips had been more prudent with the sequel’s budget, the situation, while still disappointing, would not be as catastrophic. As it stands, the situation can only be described as dire.
The Future Looks Bleak
The situation is set to worsen with the release of “Smile 2” this coming weekend. Theaters will need to make room for the new release, and “Joker” will likely be dropped. Warner Bros. will then be forced to shift to VOD and hope for the best. However, the negative word of mouth will likely limit the audience. In essence, the studio stands to lose a significant amount on this film. This puts additional pressure on the upcoming reboot of the DC Universe, set to begin next year. All eyes are now on James Gunn’s “Superman.” The pressure is certainly on!
Discussion on the /Film Daily Podcast
We delved deeper into the disaster of the “Joker 2” second weekend box office drop on today’s episode of the /Film Daily podcast. You can listen to the episode below:
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Conclusion
“Joker: Folie a Deux” is currently showing in theaters. However, its performance has been far from stellar. With a disappointing box office drop in its second weekend, the future of the film looks bleak. The negative reviews and poor word of mouth have not helped its cause. Warner Bros. now faces the challenge of recouping its investment, a task that looks increasingly difficult. As we look to the future, the focus shifts to the upcoming DC Universe reboot, and in particular, James Gunn’s “Superman.”
FAQs
What is “Joker: Folie a Deux”?
“Joker: Folie a Deux” is the sequel to the Oscar-winning film “Joker.”
How has “Joker: Folie a Deux” performed at the box office?
The film has performed poorly, grossing only $165.3 million worldwide, with a disappointing $51.6 million from domestic audiences.
What are the future plans for the film?
Warner Bros. plans to shift to VOD and streaming on Max in an attempt to recoup some of the investment.
What is the impact of the film’s performance on the DC Universe?
The poor performance of “Joker: Folie a Deux” puts additional pressure on the forthcoming reboot of the DC Universe.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
