Joker 2: Why the Bold Early Plans for a Dazzling Broadway Musical Could Have Avoided Criticism

The early conception of Joker 2 as a Broadway musical had the potential to reduce the criticism and complaints the film received, and it would have provided an opportunity to change audience expectations.

Warner Bros. Pictures

I want to talk about the possibility that the early plans for “ 2″ could have avoided the criticism that DC movies are currently experiencing. The first film, “Joker,” was released in 2019 to critical and commercial success. However, the sequel, “,” fell short of expectations and underperformed at the box office. There was a significant difference in the response between the two films, and this difference led to various discussions about why the sequel failed to replicate the success of the original.

The initial discussion of “Joker 2” actually began as a Broadway musical. After the huge success of the first film, expectations for a sequel naturally grew. Starring and director were interested in the project, and discussions began about the possibility of expanding the film’s universe. However, In early discussions, “Joker 2” was conceived as a musical, not a film. Phillips said, “When we got serious about it, we realized it would take four years to complete this project,” and expressed the burden of time and effort involved in producing a musical.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in this process. In the end, “Joker 2” ended up being very different from the original concept. If the musical format had continued, audiences’ expectations would have been different, and criticism of the film would have been greatly reduced.

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One of the most common complaints from audiences about “Joker 2” is that it didn’t properly convey the emotional depth and complexity of the first film. If the sequel had been a musical, it could have emphasized the difference from the original. The musical’s unique musical elements would likely have conveyed the emotional line in a different way than what audiences expect from a film. This would have changed expectations, allowing audiences to accept the film with a more open mind.

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Warner Bros. Pictures

The musical format also allowed for greater freedom in story development. For example, the element of reversing the plot at various points in the story is a technique often used in musicals. This approach could have provided a fresh experience by allowing the audience to experience the story in an unexpected direction. Ultimately, this element is interesting in that it would have helped reduce the target of criticism.

The format of the musical could also have contributed to further maximizing the emotional journey of the character. In the first film, Joker’s internal conflict and pain were very important elements. Combining this emotional depth with the musical expression of the musical would have provided a more intense experience for the audience. Since music is a powerful means of conveying emotions, it is appealing that the complex psychology of the Joker character could have been effectively revealed in the format of a musical.

Furthermore, the approach of the musical would have provided an opportunity to break away from the typical superhero genre. Many audiences would have likely valued the emotional connection unique to musicals rather than the action or visual elements expected from superhero movies. This change would have contributed to further highlighting the unique charm of the Joker character.

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Finally, the format of the musical provides an opportunity to encompass a diverse audience. People who like musicals will naturally become interested in the movie, which can have a positive effect on the movie’s box office performance. A musical that encompasses various genres can provide a new experience to the audience, which can also contribute to increasing the brand value of the movie.

"Joker 2" had a disappointing global opening, making it clear that the sequel failed to reach the heights of its original film
Warner Bros. Pictures

Ultimately, if the initial plan for “Joker 2” had been developed into a musical format, the criticism and complaints about the movie would have been significantly reduced. A musical clearly shows the difference from the original work and has the potential to change the audience’s expectations of the movie. In addition, the characteristics of the musical format provide an opportunity to further enhance emotional depth, which would have contributed to further highlighting the complexity of the Joker character.

From this perspective, “Joker 2” may have benefited significantly from the original Broadway musical plan. However, what the audience ultimately encountered was a completely different form of work. This difference became one of the causes of the dissatisfaction felt by many audiences, and it can be said that this provides important implications for the direction that future DC movies should take. The story and development of Joker 2 clearly presents challenges and opportunities in many ways and will remain important lessons for future filmmaking.

Source: Variety