Joker’s sequel: A deeper dive into the dark world of Arthur Fleck

In 2019, “Joker” emerged as an unexpected box office phenomenon, captivating audiences with its gritty portrayal of the infamous Batman villain. Unlike typical comic book adaptations, this film, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, drew more comparisons to Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” than to other DC films like “The Suicide Squad”. With a modest budget of $55 million, “Joker” defied expectations, raking in $1.07 billion globally and earning 11 Oscar nominations. The success of the film made a sequel almost inevitable.

The sequel: Joker: Folie à Deux

The much-anticipated sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux”, is set to hit theaters this Friday. However, early projections suggest it may not replicate the monumental success of its predecessor. The film, which sees Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck and introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, is expected to earn between $50 million and $65 million from 4,100 North American theaters in its opening weekend. This is a significant drop from the original film’s $96.2 million debut, which set an October opening weekend record.

International prospects and budget considerations

Despite the lower domestic projections, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is anticipated to perform better internationally, with estimates ranging from $80 million to $85 million over the weekend. This could bring the film’s global earnings to between $130 million and $150 million by Sunday. However, the sequel comes with a hefty $200 million price tag, which raises the stakes for its financial success.

The making of a sequel

On paper, “Joker: Folie à Deux” has all the ingredients for another hit. Phoenix returns to his Oscar-winning role, and Lady Gaga, known for her intense commitment to her craft, joins the cast. However, industry experts believe that the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival may have dampened some of the initial excitement. While the original “Joker” won the festival’s top prize, the sequel received a more lukewarm reception, leading to mixed word-of-mouth before its general release.

Critical reception and audience curiosity

Critics were divided on the original film, which holds a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel currently sits at 63%, suggesting a similar reception. Despite this, curiosity may drive audiences to theaters to form their own opinions. The original “Joker” served as a dark origin story for Batman’s nemesis, portraying Arthur Fleck as a reclusive, struggling comedian. In the sequel, co-written by Phillips and Scott Silver, Joker meets Harley Quinn while incarcerated at Arkham Asylum. The film also features returning cast member Zazie Beetz and newcomers Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener.

Musical elements and narrative style

Though “Joker: Folie à Deux” has been described as a musical, Phillips has clarified that this categorization isn’t entirely accurate. “Most of the music in the movie is really just dialogue,” Phillips explained. “It’s just Arthur not having the words to say what he wants to say, so he sings them instead.”

Other new releases: White Bird

While “Joker: Folie à Deux” is expected to dominate the box office, it isn’t the only new release this weekend. Lionsgate’s “White Bird”, a prequel and sequel to 2017’s sleeper hit “Wonder”, is also hitting theaters. Directed by Marc Forster, “White Bird” focuses on Julian, the middle school bully from “Wonder,” and his grandmother’s story of her childhood during the Holocaust. Despite its potential for broad appeal, “White Bird” is projected to earn single digits over the weekend, a notable decline from “Wonder,” which opened to $27 million and grossed $132 million domestically.

Lionsgate’s recent struggles

“White Bird” is the latest in a series of underperforming releases for Lionsgate, following last weekend’s “Megalopolis”, the survival thriller “Never Let Go”, the assassin comedy “The Killer’s Game”, and the video game adaptation “Borderlands”. Despite these challenges, the studio remains hopeful for future successes.

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