“Joker” Sequel To Lose Studio Up To $200M

Warner Bros. Pictures
Though the first film made over a billion dollars, Warner Bros. Pictures is set to take a major bath on the sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux” – somewhere to a tune potentially as high as $200 million reports Variety.

The film cost $200 million to produce and roughly $100 million to market and distribute. It was previously announced that the movie has to reach $450 million at the global box-office to break even. Sources at Warners tell the trade however say the actual bar it must clear to do so is just $375 million.

By the end of ten days it stands at $165 million worldwide – two-thirds of which is overseas. Projected ticket sales for the film’s lifetime gross are now tipped to reach $65 million domestically and $210-215 million globally.

Several insiders and rival execs with knowledge of similar failed productions all indicate it will be a loss for the studio at the absolute minimum of $125 million, with others suggesting it could go a tiny bit higher than $200 million.

A Warner Bros. spokesperson has responded in a statement to the piece, saying: “Any estimates suggested by anonymous ‘insiders’ or ‘rival executives’ are grossly wrong and continues a trend where rumor is reported as fact. The film continues to play in theatrical release, included with this week’s opening in China, and will continue to earn revenue throughout its home viewing and ancillary run.”

Indeed, Warners is shifting this one quick to PVOD with an October 29th date set for the film’s digital release.