After an underwhelming opening weekend, the highly anticipated ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ is already being dubbed a disaster. The movie, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, pulled in a mere $37.8 million domestically, despite high expectations.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, the sequel’s concept stemmed from an unexpected source — Joaquin Phoenix’s dream to be more specific. Now, both the studio and filmmaker Todd Phillips face tough questions about why they gambled on a risky project.
The Making of ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’
The journey of ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ started under pressure from Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO David Zaslav. Following the monumental success of ‘Joker’, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide and earned Phoenix an Oscar, the studio was eager for a follow-up. However, the original film’s gritty, standalone nature didn’t scream for a sequel.
Related: ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Gets ‘D’ CinemaScore After Massive Box Office Fall
So, the decision to make a sequel in itself was a bold one. But it wasn’t until Phoenix dreamt of a new narrative twist for Arthur Fleck that things took shape. The actor shared his vision with Phillips, who quickly latched onto the idea. Phoenix’s dream reportedly laid the musical-like exploration of Arthur’s time in Arkham Asylum.
The movie introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. However, unlike its predecessor, which leaned into the psychological thriller genre, ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ focused on Arthur’s delusions and musical fantasies. Despite the high-profile cast, the movie’s reception has been anything but celebratory.
Who Is To Blame For ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’s Failure?
One might expect that with the involvement of top talent, the film would be a surefire hit. Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips each secured $20 million deals, while Lady Gaga signed on for $12 million. Yet, the sequel’s box office numbers suggest that money alone couldn’t save it.
In case you missed it: Why ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ Failed To Impress?
Phillips insisted on skipping traditional test screenings to preserve the film’s surprises. However, the decision backfired. After the movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival, spoilers began circulating online. “Complete audience rejection,” one insider described the reaction.
While Phillips could be blamed for the film’s estranged path and huge contrast to ‘Joker’, he is not the sole perpetrator. Moreover, his avoidance of external feedback might have contributed to the film’s downfall. Ultimately, ‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ may be remembered as a bold experiment that went wrong.
Phoenix’s dream may have sparked the sequel’s initial inspiration. However, perhaps it wasn’t meant to translate to the big screen. The film’s tagline could well have been “For Joaquin,” as one insider put it, rather than for the millions of fans.
