Joker: Folie a Deux seemed to be a highly anticipated movie. Projections for the opening weekend even soared as high as $140 million at the top end. It was on track to outpace the top-performing original movie. Then it had its premiere at Venice in August and things started to turn.
The mixed reviews from Venice started to emerge, along with critical scores lower than the original, and the numbers started to slip. Debut weekend estimates were dramatically slashed to around $70 million.
Now things seem to be getting even worse. The film’s ending has apparently been leaked online and has led to a divided reaction from those who have found out about the climax.
Then a report in Deadline states that estimates have been revised down again with tracking leaning towards a $55 million debut, putting it some $40 million or so less than its predecessor domestically.
Worldwide it is still holding up, with the overall global projection being up at $140 million, but those domestic numbers will be worrying the studio. With Warner Bros. known for being panicky and reactive, a bad performance for Joker could have all sorts of consequences across their DC slate.
Joker: Folie à Deux opens in cinemas on Friday. Previews start as soon as today.