Despite sky-high expectations and rave reviews from early screenings, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019's 'Joker' floundered both critically and commercially, leaving Lady Gaga caught off guard.
- Oct 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - Warner Bros. and director Todd Phillips were likely unprepared for the dismal performance of "Joker: Folie a Deux". Scoring a disappointing 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving the lowest CinemaScore in comic book movie history (D), the musical sequel stumbled out of the gate, managing to rake in only around $40 million at the domestic box office on its opening weekend.
Lady Gaga, who stepped into the role of Harley Quinn with significant fanfare, was "shocked" at the movie's reception. After a mostly positive reception at the Venice Film Festival, Gaga's expectations were high.
A source told The Daily Mail, "Gaga is surprised by the response to Joker: Folie à Deux and is shocked that people don't love it after the response it received from critics before it premiered. She put so much heart into the movie and has so much respect for the DC Comics fan base."
The 2019 "Joker" achieved tremendous success, surpassing a billion dollars at the worldwide box office and uniting both comic book enthusiasts and casual viewers. However, its sequel, despite a hefty budget increase to $190-200 million from the original's "modest" $55 million, fell short. The opening weekend saw a mere $39.5 million domestically and $75.4 million worldwide, totaling $114 million.
Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinn drew praise, but it wasn't enough to counterbalance the movie's negative reviews. In an attempt to hype the film, Gaga also released a complementary album titled "Harlequin", showcasing her dedication to the role.
Reports indicate that Gaga's team is already exploring new projects to distance her from this disappointment. Among these potential opportunities, a role in Quentin Tarantino's next and purported final film, "The Movie Critic", is particularly appealing.
Another insider shared, "She thought that this film could get her an Oscar nomination, especially since the first film was such a success and Joaquin won an Oscar. She would now like to land a role in Quentin Tarantino's next and final film." According to the source, she plans to actively pursue this "bucket list moment."
Despite the setback, Gaga isn't retreating from the acting world. With her next album, dubbed "LG7," on the horizon and her ongoing chart success with the Bruno Mars collaboration "Die With A Smile," Gaga's versatile talent keeps her in the public eye.
