The jaw-dropping production budget for Joker: Folie à Deux has been revealed, and it’s a significant increase from the original.
In a report from Variety, the upcoming DC sequel starring Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix carries a budget of $200 million, far above the $60 million budget of the 2019 blockbuster. Additionally, star Phoenix is reportedly earning $20 million for his second go-around as the Clown Prince of Crime, while his new co-star, Lady Gaga, is netting $12 million for her role as Harley Quinn.
2019’s Joker was an R-rated, Martin Scorsese-homage character piece separate from Zack Snyder’s DCEU. The story followed struggling Gotham City comedian Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) and his descent into madness which leads to his transformation into the Joker. The modestly budgeted thriller earned rave reviews and a box office haul of over $1 billion worldwide.
Is Joker: Folie à Deux a musical?
While details about Joker: Folie à Deux’s plot remain under wraps, it is expected to continue from the previous installment’s conclusion with Fleck incarcerated at Arkham Asylum and crossing paths with his psychiatrist-turned-girlfriend. Part of the sequel’s reason for the massive budget is director Todd Phillips going for a musical theme inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s infamous 1982 flop One from the Heart. Phillips’ cinematographer Lawrence Sher praised the director for going bold on the sequel.
“Something I appreciate about Todd Phillips — who I’ve done seven movies with, including Joker — is that he’s always taking risks,” Sher said. “We’ve got the new Joker coming out next year and we’re just finishing up post-production on it. This movie is a big swing and it’s going to be really surprising to people. I’m so excited for everyone to see it.”
Joker: Folie á Deux hits United States theaters on October 4, 2024.
