The bad news just keeps on coming for Warner Bros. when it comes to Joker: Folie a Deux. According to a new report in Variety, the studio is starting down the barrel of a near $200 million loss from the sequel.
At least it cleans up one bit of Elseworld mess for the new DCU, as there is no way there will be any follow-up or spin-off.
The report says the movie was $200 million to make but then had another $100 million on top for marketing and distribution. According to the studio itself, this means the break-even point due to the way the various deals were cut is $375 million. It won’t get there.
It is seemingly adrift at $165 million worldwide after ten days, and most of that total is from overseas so the American audience is not coming to the rescue. Based on weekly drops, it will top out in the early $200 million range.
The report says that various insiders and executives have pointed to a potential $200 million loss, but Warner Bros. has angrily refuted this:
“Any estimates suggested by anonymous ‘insiders’ or ‘rival executives’ are grossly wrong and continues a trend where rumor is reported as fact. The film continues to play in theatrical release, included with this week’s opening in China, and will continue to earn revenue throughout its home viewing and ancillary run.”
That is all very interesting, Mr Unamed Warner Exec from the statement, but if you are more relaxed about things than everyone else, then why are you doing that classic panic move of dumping Joker: Folie a Deux on PVOD almost immediately? Riddle me this!
Joker: Folie a Deux arrives in your home, for a price, on October 29th.