In the world of high-stakes Hollywood, even big names like ‘Joker‘ director Todd Phillips and cinematic legend Francis Ford Coppola aren’t immune to box office blues. As Phillips’ latest film, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux‘, hit theaters this weekend, it’s already opening well behind expectations — much like Coppola’s recent bomb, ‘Megalopolis‘.
‘Joker: Folie à Deux‘, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s billion-dollar ‘Joker‘, has turned out to be a divisive blend of musical theatrics and antihero drama. The movie, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, is struggling with a D CinemaScore — the first Hollywood comic book movie to earn such a low audience grade. However, Coppola has some kind words for Phillips in these seemingly pressing times.
Francis Ford Coppola Praises Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Despite Its Box Office Crash
It’s safe to say that ‘Joker: Folie à Deux‘ has crashed at the box office because of its musical approach, which ended up alienating some fanboys who were looking for more of the dark, gritty chaos the first film delivered. While the film’s cast and crew might be surrounded by critique, legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has got Todd Phillip’s back.
Related: Todd Phillips Declares The End Of Joker Era With ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
In a supportive Instagram post on Saturday, Coppola praised Phillips’ daring approach. “Ever since the wonderful The Hangover, he’s always been one step ahead of the audience, never doing what they expect. Congratulations to Joker: Folie à Deux,” wrote Coppola, acknowledging that the film might be ahead of its time for audiences.
Coppola, who knows a thing or two about flops, is currently watching his own dystopian epic ‘Megalopolis‘ sink at the box office, after earning a mere $4 million in its opening weekend against a whopping $120 million production budget. Yet, despite the shared challenges, both directors continue to push cinematic boundaries.
Francis Ford Coppola And Todd Phillips Are On The Same Boat
Todd Phillips’ highly anticipated sequel cost a staggering $190 million to $200 million, a far cry from the first film’s modest $55 million budget. Originally tracking to open at $70 million, the film now seems likely to debut in the mid-$40 million range, marking a significant drop-off from its predecessor’s $96 million debut.
In case you missed it: Todd Phillips Declares The End Of Joker Era With ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
Meanwhile, both ‘Megalopolis‘ and ‘Joker 2‘ have been panned by critics, currently sitting at 46 percent and 33 percent, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the struggles, Coppola remains optimistic, and it’s clear he believes that Phillips’ bold moves will eventually earn their due respect — just as his once-maligned ‘One From the Heart‘ eventually became a cult classic.
