News culture “Joker 2” comes dangerously close to this symbolic box office milestone: it’s still behind “The Marvels” and “Black Adam”!
Joker: Folie à Deux did not have the expected success. Fans and media did not agree with the film, which, unlike the first part, opted for a musical. An observation confirmed by the feature film’s earnings.
A flop at the worldwide box office
After the international success of “Joker” with more than a billion US dollars at the worldwide box office as well as a Golden Lion and two Oscars, Joker: Folie à Deux was released on October 2nd. The same director, Todd Phillips, is also responsible for directing the film. For the occasion, Joaquin Phoenix was reappointed, but above all, Lady Gaga joins the cast of the feature film. Problem, the fans aren’t there yet and Joker 2 disappointed at the worldwide box office. In three weeks of operation, the company only generated revenue of $191.9 million. A disaster considering it cost 200 million to produce. But why such a disappointment?
The reason is simple. It’s not the same kind of film as the first work. We’re watching a musical. The director opted for a minimum of action scenes and used the budget for the musical interludes to the limit, refining them to the millimeter. The artistic direction failed to convince audiences in the theaters and word of mouth doesn’t seem to have worked. The budget is higher than the first work, particularly due to the salaries of the two main actors. Joaquin Phoenix went from $4.5 million to $20 million, while Lady Gaga, who plays Harley Quinn, earned $12 million. It should also be noted that Todd Phillips received a larger check than for Joker 1 without knowing the amount.
A failure even in China
Without being released in cinemas in China, the first work achieved incredible success, reaching more than a billion box office receipts worldwide. For Joker: Folie à Deuxthe production decided to release it in the country of the Middle Kingdom. The problem is that the feature film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga also disappointed in terms of numbers. The film was released in Chinese cinemas on October 16th. Over a five-day weekend, the film grossed $5.9 million, placing only second at the Chinese box office.
In the first place we find a film released for the occasion, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretswhich grossed $4.6 million in just two days. The observation is uplifting, but it’s not a defeat that upsets Warner Bros. In fact, Harry Potter is produced by the same studio. They are pursuing a range of different works to capture new audiences in China and maintain their place in the Chinese cinema market. Joker: Folie à Deux didn’t necessarily help the studio move in that direction.
