Joker: Folie à Deux faces Box Office challenges despite star-studded Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix

Despite featuring a star-studded cast and high expectations, "Joker: Folie à Deux" is projected to underperform compared to its predecessor. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, is estimated to open to between $50 million and $65 million in its North American debut weekend. This falls significantly short of the original "Joker," which opened to a record-breaking $96.2 million in 2019.

The sequel's lower box office projections are attributed to several factors, including mixed reviews from critics and less-than-stellar word-of-mouth following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. While the original "Joker" received critical acclaim, "Folie à Deux" has garnered mixed reviews, with some critics questioning its ability to capture the magic of the first film.

Despite the challenges, "Joker: Folie à Deux" is still expected to perform well at the international box office, with projections of $80 million to $85 million over the weekend. However, even with strong international sales, the film may struggle to match the global success of the original, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

While the sequel may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, it still offers fans of the Joker franchise an opportunity to delve deeper into the character's complex world. With its talented cast and intriguing storyline, "Joker: Folie à Deux" has the potential to be a successful film in its own right.