The upcoming sequel to the hit 2019 film “Joker” may not perform as strongly at the box office as earlier projections suggested, according to industry analysts. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” slated for release later this year, is now expected to make around $55-60 million during its opening weekend in the United States. This is lower than previous estimates of over $70 million.
Worldwide, early tracking puts the film’s opening at approximately $140 million. While still a sizable amount, this would trail the record-breaking $248 million global launch of the original film. “Joker” ultimately made over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie in history.
Some factors may be influencing the adjusted projections. Unlike the realistic tone of its predecessor, “Folie à Deux” takes a bold approach as a musical – an unprecedented genre for a major superhero release. This shift leaves questions around audience interest. Reviews so far have been mixed as well, with a 58% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ review aggregator compared to 69% for the first film.
However, the involvement of Lady Gaga playing iconic villain Harley Quinn could draw significant fans of the character. In addition, “Joker” exceeded early box office models. Positive word-of-mouth may help “Folie à Deux” find broader audiences. Industry experts say the reported $200 million budget would likely be covered with over $400 million globally.
Director Todd Phillips has said this will be the final “Joker” film. Without setup for future installments, it stands alone within the DC universe. With its unconventional format, all eyes will watch to see if “Joker: Folie à Deux” can achieve similar acclaim to its groundbreaking predecessor when it releases later this year.
