Warner Bros must be ecstatic about the success of their “Joker: Folie à Deux” trailer launch. It was to be expected, and it certainly helped that the trailer was so well put together and included visually ravishing footage.
The marketing for the sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, exceeded expectations with 167 million views in its first 24 hours. The trailer went online right after it debuted at Warner Bros’ CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas, and it went completely viral after that.
Variety is reporting that the ‘Joker’ sequel’s trailer numbers, and social engagement, surpassed that of Warner Bros’ first “Barbie” launch. The ‘Joker 2’ trailer became the #1 trending video on YouTube on the night it premiered and currently boasts 15.6 million views and counting on the platform, where it remains the #4 trending video nearly 48 hours since its launch.
Will this $200 million R-rated musical sequel hit the billion dollar mark? The first one did, but ‘Joker 2’ seems to be a very different movie altogether. I guess it’ll depend on word of mouth. If Todd Phillips and company have made a great film then it’ll be a huge success.
It is quite interesting how studios used to avoid R-rated superhero movies, but have now now come full circle to embrace them. Audiences want more than just safe PG-13 fare. The two R-rated comic book movies this year (‘Joker 2’ and ‘Deadpool 3') might also become the most profitable at the box-office.
Side note, I didn’t want to write a whole piece on just this tidbit of news, but I’m hearing Lady Gaga covers Dinah Washington’s “The Bitter Earth” in ‘Joker 2’ and that it might be the song that Warner Bros pushes for Oscar contention later this year.
“Joker 2: Folie à Deux” is rumored to be released in IMAX 70MM on October 4, 2024. It will most likely be premiering at the Venice Film Festival in September.