A report about Warner Bros’ excessive spending spree, on multiple risky projects, states that Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” has had its budget balloon to $200 million. This is surprising. I thought it wouldn’t cost more than $100 million.
Don’t pay attention to the social media backlash having to do with its two stars not being paid anything close to the same salary — that’s not the least bit surprising. This sequel wouldn’t exist without Pheonix’s presence, and he won the Oscar for his performance in the 2019 original.
So, indeed, as mentioned, the budget has “ballooned” to about $200 million, a significant difference from the $60 million cost of the first film. Sources say that Joaquin Phoenix is getting $20 million to reprise his role as The Joker, while Lady Gaga is taking home about $12 million to play Harley Quinn.
Warner is assuming that the sequel will replicate the original film’s success, which ended with a $1 billion run at the global box-office. However, not so fast. This one’s a musical, and seems to be taking more narrative risks than the first one. A trailer/teaser is being released in mid-April, so we’ll be getting a first look at this one very soon.