The release ofJoker: Folie à Deuxhas been met with disappointing box office numbers and mixed reviews, if we’re being kind. If we’re being honest,we’d say box office has been disastrous and the reviews have been toxic. On paper, this looks like a shock given how successful its predecessor was. But we need to examine why that is. Well, there’s maybe one reason, and it’s one you might not have realised. While the sequel brought back the original individuals likeJoaquin Phoenixand directorTodd Phillips,there was one person missing from the production team that many may have missed: Bradley Cooper.
Well, that begs the question of what does Bradley Cooper have to do withJoker?Variety reportsthat Cooper, who had years of working with Phillips, including their work onA Star Is Bornand, of course,The Hangoverfilms, served as a producer on the originalJoker. The movie was produced on a very modest budget of $60 million, and it became a surprise smash, earning over $1.1 billion worldwide and netting Phoenix an Oscar for his performance as Arthur Fleck.The general feeling was Cooper’s influence was really important in makingJoker a hit. His focus on storytelling based around characters, and careful attention to what audiences like, semeed to be considered crucial in keeping that delicate balancing act of the movie’s very dark elements with a more commercial appeal.
Why Did Bradley Cooper Not Work on ‘Joker: Folie á Deux’?
Phillips and Cooper had collaborated in their production company, Joint Effort on a number of projects.Cooper had signed a six-year deal with Warner Bros. to produce films for the studio, and that deal expired in 2019, at which point Cooper and Phillips parted ways. Cooper then set up his own company, Lea Pictures, which was behind his Oscar nominated film for Netflix,Maestro. The absence of Cooper from the production staff seems like it may have worked as a domino effect on the way creative was handled on the movie. The film’s switch towards a musical tone and a courtroom drama, meshed with fantasy elements, was massively alienating to critics and audiences. Additionally, the decision to almost publicly deny the film was a musical was harmful too.
WhileJoker: Folie à Deuxbrought in another big name,Lady Gaga, as Harley Quinn, her inclusion, and the narrative re-direct the film took, seemed to put off audiences who were expecting more of the same of the dark, gritty tone of the original. It seemed like the movie was less concerned with meeting expectations, and instead, delivering on a story thatPhoenix claimed came to him in a dream, as reported by THR.
While Phillips and Phoenix took a bold swing, which is admirable in itself, it seems that the absence of Cooper’s steady hands may have inadvertently cost the film in the long run. His ability to balance creative risks with audience expectations could have proved pivotal, but for now, it’s a case of “what if?” for disappointed viewers.
Joker: Folie á Deuxis playing in theaters now.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux explores Arthur Fleck’s ongoing struggle with his dual identity as he unexpectedly discovers love and unleashes his hidden musical talent. Set against a backdrop of societal unrest, Arthur’s journey intertwines personal transformation with chaotic encounters, leading to profound shifts in his life and the world around him.
