Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round for the latest gossip from the land of Hollywood chaos, where sequels and prequels battle for your attention like a Bollywood dance-off! Hollywood Hrishita here, ready to spill the beans with a side of sarcasm and a sprinkle of emoji magic! 🎬✨
So, what’s making waves at the box office this weekend? None other than Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, making a grand return. Yes, darlings, Joker: Folie à Deux is taking center stage, and it’s already laughing its way to the bank with a cool $7 million from Thursday previews alone. Our favorite unhinged villain is back, and this time he’s teamed up with the ever-divine Lady Gaga as the equally bonkers Harley Quinn. 🤡💃
Now, let’s talk numbers, shall we? The original Joker was a box office juggernaut, raking in a jaw-dropping $1.07 billion globally from a modest $65 million budget. But this sequel? Well, it’s playing with a hefty $200 million price tag and hasn’t quite charmed the critics like its predecessor. While the first installment made a smashing $13.3 million in Thursday previews leading to a $96.2 million opening weekend, Folie à Deux is eyeing a more modest $50 million to $65 million debut. Ah, the struggles of living up to an Oscar-winning sibling! 🎭💸
Despite premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Joker: Folie à Deux didn’t quite steal the show like its 2019 counterpart, which nabbed the prestigious Golden Lion. While the original was a gritty character deep dive earning Phoenix an Oscar, this sequel flips the script as a twisted musical love story featuring Gaga’s powerhouse vocals. Oh, and did I mention the expanded cast? Say hello to Brendan Gleeson, Harry Lawtey, and Catherine Keener joining the fray. 🎶🦁
In other cinematic news, Lionsgate is rolling out White Bird, a prequel-sequel hybrid to 2017’s Wonder. But let’s be honest, it’s not exactly soaring to lofty heights, tracking for a single-digit opening. 🕊️🎥
MORAL OF THE STORY: In the whimsical world of Hollywood, sometimes a sequel feels like a second-hand sweater—comfortable but not quite as exciting as the original purchase. 🎭✨
