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The anticipation surroundingJoker 2 (Joker: Folie à Deux)has been mixed, to say the least. When Todd Phillips’ first Joker film debuted in 2019, it smashed expectations, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and winning Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for his chilling portrayal of Arthur Fleck. However, the announcement of its sequel took a surprising turn when it was revealed thatJoker 2would almost be a musical.
Naturally, fans of the dark, gritty original film raised their eyebrows, sparking debates on social media, with some predicting that the sequel might not live up to the original’s success. While many critics have pointed out the musical aspect as a potential reason for underperformance, there’s another, often overlooked factor that might affect the film’s box office performance.
Is the Musical Aspect Really That Big of a Risk forJoker 2?
One of the most striking revelations aboutJoker 2is its musical element, an unexpected choice considering the first movie’s gritty, dark tone. The decision to transform a hard-hitting psychological thriller into a musical has left many fans scratching their heads, wondering how the sequel can live up to the emotionally charged intensity of the original.
Yeah cus they marketed the “musical” aspect wrong
BECAUSE ITS A MUSICAL
I hope it’s not heavy on the musical part, I loved Joker 1pic.twitter.com/g6GG9vKTqQ
Comments on social media reflect this growing uncertainty, with some fans questioning how much of the film will be a musical, while others outright express their lack of interest in such a shift.
It’s important to note that directorTodd Phillipshas taken creative liberties with the character, previously pushing boundaries in the originalJoker.However, mixing an iconic comic book character with a musical genre has sparked debate.
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While musicals can be immersive when done right, they’re typically divisive among broader audiences, especially those expecting the same dark, grounded storytelling seen inJoker.Some fans even believe that this musical aspect could drive away those who were drawn to the movie’s more realistic tone.
The Unseen Trap Of Sequels: WhyJoker 2Might Earn Less?
While much of the focus has been on the musical nature ofJoker 2, history suggests that even without this controversial decision, the film might still struggle to outperform its predecessor because sequels, in general, tend to earn less than original films for a number of reasons.
One of the key reasons behind this trend is that the novelty of the original film is hard to replicate. The firstJokerfilm was a cultural moment, an unexpected, fresh take on the comic book genre that left audiences buzzing.
Sequels, by their nature, are follow-ups, and they often suffer from what could be called the “been there, done that” syndrome. While fans might still show up forJoker 2, they may not feel the same excitement or curiosity that drove them to theaters for the original.
I’m not that surprised given the musical angle, BUT I still think it’s gonna have a healthy return
Sequels don’t usually do as well and aren’t usually as good as the first. So not surprising.
Still good money
Interestingly, data shows that while sequels generally make less money than their originals, they still tend to outperform the average movie at the box office. This is because sequels are safer bets for studios. A successful first film almost guarantees that its sequel will bring in decent earnings, even if it doesn’t hit the same heights. As one movie analyst noted,“Sequels are just safer bets. Dollars don’t necessarily correlate to quality.”(viaShane Snow)
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In the case ofJoker 2, the sequel’s challenge lies not just in its budget or its shift to a musical format, but also in the weight of audience expectations. The bar set by the original was sky-high, and while audiences are often willing to give sequels a chance, they are far more critical when these films don’t meet their expectations.
You can watchJoker 2in theatres from June 03, 2025.
Sonika Kamble
Articles Published :1196
Sonika Kamble is an entertainment writer at Fandomwire, covering everything from timeless classics to newly released movies. With over 1000+ articles published, she delves into breakdowns, think pieces, speculations, and more.She enjoys connecting the dots and covering newfound angles about characters, scenes, and themes from movies directed by Scorsese, Fincher, Tarantino, Linklater, and other exceptional filmmakers.
