When Todd Phillips Clown: Pas de deux Tracking started three weeks ago, predicting a $70 million debut for the Warner Bros. — That’s $26 million less than the previous payment five years ago, but still a significant amount. Since then, forecasts have slipped from $50 million to $60 million.
Why did it drop?
The polarizing R-rated film, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival to mixed reviews, is a genre-defying, music-filled sequel that strays from the comfort zone of the typical fan-driven comic book movie. Although 2019 clown Compared to Martin Scorsese’s earlier work, this sequel is a much slower-paced journey, focusing on the inner lives of its two protagonists. Critics praised the film’s overall beauty, performances, and craftsmanship but criticized its narrative. “For a movie that’s two and a half hours long, crazy two people The narrative felt a bit thin and boring at times,” wrote hollywood reporter Chief film critic David Rooney from Venice.
All of this can be confusing for the first time clowntarget audience and helps explain declining tracking and lower-than-expected advance ticket sales. Regardless of how it performs at the box office, the film is expected to be a major player in the Oscar race.
overseas, Joker 2 It will open this weekend everywhere around the world except Japan and China, where it will launch in the coming weeks. Warner hopes for an overseas debut of $80 million to $85 million.
Joker: Double Foil Phillips reunited with Joaquin Phoenix, who won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck/Joker before reprising his titular role. Released in 2019, clown The film debuted to $96.2 million domestically and grossed a record $1 billion worldwide, making Phillips and Phoenix heroes for Warner Bros. and earning them enough goodwill to allow them to attempt a sequel.
In fact, neither Phillips nor Phoenix were sure whether to make a sequel, and they considered a Broadway show before ultimately deciding to make the film.
first one clown Pre-launch production costs were only $55 million. Following the film’s success, Phillips was awarded a second net production budget of $190 million to $200 million. Part of that was casting Lady Gaga in a character inspired by comic book character Harley Quinn (who the filmmakers hoped would appeal to female moviegoers).
The Joker and Harley are known for having a toxic romantic relationship in the comics, titled pas de deux A medical term that refers to the same or similar mental disorder that affects two or more people. Much of the film consists of a fantasy musical starring the couple, who met while Arthur was in Arkham Asylum awaiting trial for crimes in the first film. But neither Warner nor Phillips were willing to call it a pure musical because only two characters sang, whereas traditional musicals typically involve dozens of people.
The studio’s marketing materials don’t highlight the film’s numerous musical numbers, as they do in sales Wonkathe official musical. Warner Bros. isn’t alone. Paramount is not listed either mean girls as a musical.
Regardless, Phillips was well aware that the sequel was unorthodox because it didn’t quite follow the ending clownwhich led Arthur to embrace his alter ego.
At Monday’s Los Angeles premiere, Phillips thanked the studio for “taking such a bold move,” adding, “It’s not necessarily the sequel you expected.”
