In a revelation that is sure to justifiably anger many, it turns out the stars of Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” are not being paid anything close to the same salary. The news was just a tidbit in a larger story regarding Warner Bros. Studios’ recent “spending spree” – which many would find debatable – especially considering some of the business choices the company has made. Oh, right, and the movie now has a reported budget of almost $200 million.
Seen as a box office gamble at the time, the original “Joker” cost just $60 million, but went on to earn over $1 billion worldwide a little over five years ago. Warner Bros appears to be assuming the second go around will be just as profitable to justify the increased cost. The sequel brings back Best Actor Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix alongside Lady Gaga, who joins the cast as the uber-popular character Harley Quinn. Filled with musical numbers (although not a “musical” according to the movie’s cinematographer), the new installment sees Phoenix earning $20 million while Gaga is taking home just $12 million. That’s quite a disparity among lead actors, even if one of the stars is returning. And it’s not as though Phoenix has the box office track record of peers such as Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt (more on that in a minute).
Granted, Gaga will likely be compensated in a side-deal for the music she contributes to the film’s original soundtrack or if she decides to release a “Joker: Folie à Deux” themed album. The Grammy winner earned millions off the soundtrack for “A Star is Born” which sold over six million copies in its first year alone (that’s not even counting billions of streams since). That might make up for the difference, but it’s curious considering Gaga has demonstrated her own theatrical drawing power. “A Star is Born,” her first leading role, opened to $42.9 million and went on to earn $436 million. Moreover, despite very mixed reviews, Gaga’s promotional power saw 2021’s “House of Gucci” gross an unexpected $166 million right as the world was coming out of the pandemic.
On the other hand, Phoenix’s box office record is all over the place, but he did lead “Napoleon” into battle a few months ago racking up a fine $218 million global (of course, the movie cost $200 million). Outside of “Joker’s” success, however, his last profitable hit was “Walk the Line” in 2005.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” lands in theaters on Oct. 4.