Joker: Folie à Deux or Joker 2, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, hit Indian theatres on Wednesday, October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. Two days ahead of its global release, the highly anticipated sequel managed to rake in ₹5 crore on its first day in India, according to Sacnilk reports.
The mid-week holiday worked in the movie’s favour, providing a boost with little competition from other Bollywood films. However, despite the decent opening, Thursday is expected to bring a decline in box office numbers, partly due to mixed reviews and the return of the regular workweek. Nevertheless, the film is anticipated to recover over the weekend, thanks to the absence of significant new releases. Currently, it only faces notable competition from Amar Kaushik’s Stree 2 and last week’s Telugu action blockbuster, Devara: Part 1, directed by Koratala Siva.
Global Prospects for Joker 2: Can It Match Its Predecessor’s Success?
When Joker 2 debuts worldwide, including in North America on October 4, it is expected to draw a larger audience. The first Joker film, also helmed by Phillips, earned over $1 billion globally and set a record as the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck in the 2019 film even earned him his first Academy Award. However, the film’s record was recently overtaken by Shawn Levy’s Marvel collaboration, Deadpool & Wolverine.
Box Office Battle: Joker 2 vs. Deadpool & Wolverine
On its second day in India, Joker 2 grossed around ₹1 crore, with only a slight increase expected by the end of the day. Unfortunately for fans of the Clown Prince of Crime, these numbers pale in comparison to Deadpool & Wolverine. The Marvel blockbuster raked in an estimated ₹22.50 crore on its second day, creating an enormous gap between the two films. The disparity is significant, with Joker 2 earning nearly 100% less than its Marvel counterpart on Day 2 in India.
The Story Behind Joker 2
Joker 2 serves as a direct sequel to the 2019 hit, continuing the dark and twisted origin story of Batman’s notorious foe, Arthur Fleck. The film is co-written by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver, who also penned the original. Phoenix returns to his iconic role as Arthur, a mentally unstable man who spirals into chaos and violence after being disregarded by society. In this instalment, he is joined by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, adding a new dimension to his character as she brings love and a renewed sense of purpose to his life. Additionally, Zazie Beetz reprises her role as Sophie in a brief cameo.
While the film’s box office battle is currently favoring Deadpool & Wolverine, Joker 2 still holds promise for a stronger showing in the coming days as it rolls out globally.
