JOKER 2 DIRECTOR SAYS NO TO DC, ONLY WORKING WITH WARNER BROS.

Recent reports detail behind-the-scenes drama for Joker: Folie à Deux, particularly regarding director Todd Phillips' refusal to collaborate with the new leadership at DC Studios. Despite the recent appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs, Phillips opted to engage solely with Warner Bros. representatives, sparking speculation about tension within the production. Notably, DC Studios’ logo is absent at the film's start, a move interpreted as a rejection of the company's authority, though it does appear at the film's conclusion. Further intrigue is added by Joaquin Phoenix, who allegedly urged for the sequel after dreaming about it. Joker: Folie à Deux opened to disappointing box office numbers, marking a failure compared to its predecessor.

Todd Phillips' decision to distance himself from DC Studios may reflect deeper tensions within the organization, potentially affecting the film's marketing and reception. This choice could suggest a lack of confidence in the new direction of the DC cinematic universe, leading to misalignment between creative and executive vision. The absence of DC's branding at the beginning of the film raises questions about the franchise's coherence and future collaborations.

Joker: Folie à Deux is a sequel to the critically and commercially successful Joker, released in 2019, which grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. The first film was praised for its character depth and artistic direction, leading to discussions about whether a sequel could capture the same intensity. Filmmaker Todd Phillips was lauded for his work on the original film, and the sequel's troubled production is puzzling to fans and industry observers alike, especially as expectations were high for a follow-up featuring Joaquin Phoenix’s acclaimed performance as Arthur Fleck.