Joker’s fourth weekend in release sees the film return to the number-one spot on the U.S. domestic box office. The film’s worldwide theatrical gross should reach about $800 million, which makes it the highest-grossing R-rated movie in history.
Ironically, the budget for Joker comes in at $55 million, as Warner Bros. wasn’t sure if an offbeat crime take on the villain, one set in an alternate timeline outside the D.C. Extended Universe, would draw in huge audience numbers. With superhero films so hot right now, $200 million worldwide stood as a reasonable expectation.
Joker breaks the box office record of Deadpool 2, the previous top drawing R-rated movie of all-time. Ironically, the budget for the original blockbuster Deadpool movie was kept at the $60 million range because the studio, Fox, had little faith it would be a hit.
Deadpool had more significant potential to sell tickets since the parody has so many comedic elements. Joker opted for a dark, dreary melodramatic take on the villain. Joker turned out to be the perfect movie coming out at the right time. The film gained momentum among young viewers its opening weekend and powerful word of mouth drew expanded the audience demographics.
The original plans for Joker involved the studio attempting to salvage its superhero film plans. Worried about the weak box office results of the DCEU, Warner Bros. thought about trying a different approach. The publishing world of DC Comics sometimes publishes “Elseworlds” one-shots and limited series that take place in an alternate universe featuring different versions of heroes and villains. Warner Bros. connected with director Todd Phillips to come up with something entirely different for Joker. Moving outside the established theatrical universe, he created a crime film set in the 1980s. The feature pays homage to the works of Martin Scorcese, who, unfortunately, is not a fan of comic book movies.
So far, no news emerged about a sequel to the film. Todd Phillips said he is not interested, buy Phoenix is open to the idea. Joker’s theatrical take supposedly delivers a $500 million profit to Warner Bros. There’s still many more streams of revenue to tap, including DVD, Blu-ray, video-on-demand, and more. Warner Bros. surely wants to see a sequel. Time will tell if this occurs.
Speculation exists that Phoenix’s Joker may turn up in other DC movies. While unlikely, the possibility isn’t ruled out.
Ultimately, Phoenix’s Joker made too much money for Warner Bros. let the character fade away.
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