So, picture this: the much-anticipated sequel to the gritty, Oscar-scooping, fan-favorite "Joker" hit theaters, and instead of breaking records, it fell flat on its face. What went wrong? Was it the new dance moves? The musical numbers? Or did everyone just collectively decide to stay home and watch cat videos instead?
- The new 'Joker' movie is failing
- Director Todd Philips apparently fell out with producers
- The behind the scenes explains the problems
The Musical Misadventure
Apparently director Todd Philips "wanted nothing to do with DC" producers, says one agent familiar with the director’s unique carve-out, which allowed him to bypass any oversight from the brand’s gatekeepers.
When 'Joker: Folie à Deux' was announced, fans were frothing at the mouth like they’d just seen a puppy wearing a bow tie. Todd Phillips, the mastermind behind the first film, promised a wild ride. But instead of soaring through the skies, the sequel nosedived faster than a clown car at a comedy festival. Critics started sounding alarms, and not the "let’s party" kind.
The movie began production in December 2022, two months after Gunn and Safran took control of DC, and many expected the duo to provide notes and feedback on the R-rated musical, especially given the capital outlay involved. But Phillips balked and would only liaise with others.
And he has done little to dispel the appearance of friction, even though Gunn and Safran were on hand for the first director’s cut screening for the studio. When asked by a 'Collider' reporter if the production process changed when the pair succeeded DC head Walter Hamada or if they had any input, Phillips replied, "With all due respect to them, this is kind of a Warner Bros. movie."
"If the first movie was about some down-on-his-luck, mentally ill guy in a downtrodden city, it makes maybe $150 [million] worldwide. Not a billion," says a source familiar with the internal awkwardness. "People showed up because that guy was Joker."
One of the big head-scratchers was the musical angle. Sure, who doesn’t want to see Joaquin Phoenix channel his inner Broadway star? But, let’s be real—when you hear 'Joker' and "musical" in the same sentence, you might think, "Wait, are they about to break into a tap dance while committing heinous crimes?" Spoiler alert: they kinda did. And some folks were not having it.
Competing with the Blockbusters
Audiences flocked to theaters like seagulls to a french fry, but the feedback was more mixed than a fruit salad. Some were thrilled to see "Arthur Fleck" back in action, but others left wondering if they accidentally wandered into a bizarre circus performance. One viewer reportedly asked, "Is this a sequel or a psychological experiment?"
Let’s not forget the release timing. It hit theaters amidst a deluge of blockbuster contenders, like a lone clown trying to juggle while the big top is burning down. While audiences had their pick of summer blockbusters, 'Joker: Folie à Deux' might have felt more like the weird cousin at a family reunion—interesting, but maybe not what everyone signed up for.
Ultimately, the sequel struggled under the weight of expectations heavier than a clown’s oversized shoes. The first film had such a profound impact that the sequel was inevitably compared to it, and let’s face it, living up to that kind of hype is like trying to fit an elephant into a Mini Cooper. As Todd Phillips himself might say, “It’s all a part of the madness!”
Also interesting:
New tracks coming
The madness begins!
'Joker 2': Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga Ignite In New Trailer
Trailer drops April 9!
So, as the dust settles and the popcorn gets cold, we’re left pondering: can the film pick itself up and waltz back into the spotlight? Or will it become a cautionary tale for future sequels, one that warns, "Don’t try to be a musical when you’re more of a drama with a sprinkle of chaos"?
Either way, we can always count on Hollywood to keep the clown show rolling
