The whole point of making a costly sequel is it can’t be a total disaster. If nothing else, “Joker: Folie à Deux” proved that is not the case.
Well, if studios can accept that sequels and remakes actually aren't immune from being flops, maybe they will be more open to considering new ideas? I won't get my hopes up, but it's a nice thought.
Seems more likely to push them to make even safer financial decisions, like re-releasing the movies that performed well earlier in the year, or pushing out AI video generator content.
I can think of a dozen successful science fiction novels that have been in publication as long, or longer than 'Dune.' Same thing with mystery series like Kinsey Malone [A is For Alibi] Any of them would have a built in audoence, but the execs will fo with something that's been tried fifty times before because it's got a track record.
You liked the movie, so, can you tell me what is the point of the movie?
spoilers
Because, IMO, the Joker was concieved in the first movie as not capable enough to be a character that could have any impact or evolution aside from doing random shit. Which is literally what he does in both movies: complaining and random shit.
Lawyers are shown doing lawyer things.
Then, Harley comes in, and she's obsessed. She's a psychiatrist too. Okay, so maybe there's something interesting in there... We can explore her story, why would she be obsessed with him... She lied! Okay, that is a conflict, I wonder how will it resolve... Oh, no, that's it. No story for you. She disappears literally like a boolean character. On/off. Okay. But she's Lady Gaga so let's make it a musical.
Also, police bad, it seems there's also no story there.
Then the director realises he created an impossible character, so he kills it with another nonsensical scene and calls it CINEMA.
I don't think there has be a point to a movie, but I can agree with you that compared to Joker, there is not the same level of commentary on society.
spoiler
Lee, the press and most, if not everyone in courtroom, had no interest in Fleck at all. You could almost say that no one cared until he put the mask on. They were there for the freak show.
Despite being off his meds, he eventually realizes that he has become a monster and the moment he decides that he does not want to be the Joker, he stops singing while Lee continues. (Meaning he is out of his delusion, but she still gaga).
I thought that way he was killed off in the end was brilliant and it fits really well with the whole Joker myth. A Joker also (probably) died in Gotham (the show - Admittedly kind of shit) while explaining how he is an idea that can't be killed. Sort of explains the vagueness of his origin(s).
Hell, this even opens up the possibility that Joker is in fact an immortal, skinwalking trickster demon. I would like that very much.
This storyline sadly won't go any further probably, but it leaves room for a new Joker being committed to Arkham, meeting Lee who now works there (she's a psychologist after all) and yadda yadda yadda, the "original" Harley origin could take place. There has been storylines in comics about Harley's pregnancy as well.
I'm just shocked to learn it was a musical. I've only heard that like within the last 48 hours here on Lemmy. I saw so many ads for this movie and not one of them even suggested there was singing in it.