The unexpected huge success of the first Joker film back in 2019 prompted Warner Bros. to develop a sequel which was eventually confirmed to have been given a greenlight a while ago with Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips returning. Soon after, Lady Gaga joined the cast and will reportedly play Harley Quinn.
Now, it looks like the sequel, which is titled Joker: Folie à Deux, will have a higher budget than the first film according to a recent report from Variety. The follow-up is expected to have a budget of $150 million which is almost three times bigger than the first film's reported $55 million budget.
The hefty cost of the sequel is due to the film's complicated musical sequences which are said to be reminiscent of A Star Is Born. In addition, both Phoenix and Phillips will also command a $20 million payday each for their work on the film while Gaga is believed to be getting $10 million.
However, the sequel's budget is still cheaper than most theatrical DC films which usually cost around $200 million or more. Production costs have also escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic era since they need to add the implementation of the safety protocols in the budget.
Considering the salaries of the people involved in the film and its significantly bigger scope than the first one, it's not really surprising to hear now that the sequel will have a massive budget. There is also the fact that the first one earned more than $1 billion at the box office and they are more confident that they'll be able to recoup it.
Obviously, the film's budget doesn't determine the quality of the film. It still depends on how they'll execute the story and whether it will resonate with the audience. There are still two years left before we'll get any answers.
Also Read: Joker 2 Eyeing to Bring Back Zazie Beetz
Joker: Folie à Deux is slated for release in theaters on October 4, 2024.
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