The staggering cost of producing Joker 2 has been revealed, shedding light on the financial strain it has placed on Warner Bros.
Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit Joker, premiered earlier this month but the excitement surrounding the film quickly faded.
To say the film underperformed would be an understatement, as it currently holds a dismal 32 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with some moviegoers even walking out of theaters due to disappointment.
The sequel has proven to be a box office flop, with Variety reporting that it grossed $51.5 million domestically and $165 million globally in its first two weeks.
Projections suggest that Joker 2 will only reach around $65 million domestically and between $210 million to $215 million globally by the time it leaves theaters.
These numbers present a major problem for Warner Bros., as the film reportedly cost $200 million to produce, with an additional $100 million spent on marketing and distribution worldwide. According to Variety, sources close to Warner Bros. are hopeful that the film will at least break even, although the studio had undoubtedly aimed for a significant profit.
Following the release of Joker: Folie à Deux, many film fans took to social media to share their thoughts, with the overwhelming sentiment being one of disappointment.
One user expressed their frustration on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Giving Joker 2 a go because a) the first one was decent and b) I thought the reviews would surely be dramatic… F**k me. Do NOT let your curiosity make you watch it. It’s genuinely the worst film I have ever watched.”
Another echoed similar feelings, stating, “I watched Joker 2 tonight and it is my least favorite movie ever, there is no redeeming qualities, this movie is a complete piece of shit in every way. Awful script, terrible performances, everything looks so boring. A completely hollow movie. It hates everyone who buys a ticket.”
However, not all reviews have been negative. One five-star review praised the film, saying: “It’s probably not for everybody. Those who have depth and have the ability to lose themselves in the story will love it. The acting was phenomenal.”
