Joker: Folie à Deux has hit theaters, and as anticipated, it is not replicating the immediate success of its 2019 predecessor. The sequel garnered $7 million from its Thursday previews in the US, as reported by Variety—this figure is just over half of the $13.3 million the original film made in its Thursday screenings five years ago.
The 2019 Joker was a blockbuster, raking in over $1 billion against a relatively modest $65 million budget. The sequel, however, was never expected to mirror the first film's success. With a significantly higher production budget, it is projected to earn between $50 million-$65 million during its opening weekend in the US. In contrast, the original Joker made $96.2 million in its opening frame.
For context, Joker: Folie à Deux's Thursday previews were less than those of The Flash ($9.7 million) but slightly more than The Marvels ($6.6 million). Writer-director Todd Phillips addressed a rumor suggesting the sequel's production budget was $200 million, calling the figure 'absurd.' He also commented on those criticizing the larger budget, stating, 'I read these stories, and it seems like they're on the side of the multinational corporations. They're like, 'Why does it cost so much?' They sound like studio executives. Shouldn't people be happy that we got this money out of them, and we used it to go hire a bunch of crew people who can then feed their families?'
For the first Joker, Phillips reportedly turned down an upfront salary in favor of a larger share of the film's box office earnings. After the movie surpassed $1 billion, Phillips is said to have earned over $100 million. It seems unlikely he will achieve a similar payday with the sequel.
The original Joker was not only a commercial triumph but also earned star Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck. For more on Folie à Deux, check out GameSpot's analysis of the film's shocking conclusion.
