‘joker 2’ Premiere: Was There Any Public Testing Before Its Theatrical Release?

The long-awaited sequel to ‘ Joker (91%) ‘, titled ‘ Joker 2: Folie À Deux (42%) ‘, arrived with high expectations and even higher risks. According to a new report, and unlike many big-budget productions, Warner Bros. decided not to hold test screenings, relying entirely on the work of director Todd Phillips and the previous success of the first installment.

What do we know about the ‘Joker 2’ test screenings?

Test screenings are a common practice in Hollywood, allowing studios to get an early reaction from audiences before finalizing a film. This feedback can lead to major editing adjustments or even reshoots. However, in the case of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ Warner Bros. opted to skip this step. According to a recent report in Matt Belloni’s newsletter at Puck, the studio decided not to hold test screenings, despite the film’s budget coming in at $200 million — nearly four times that of the first film. This decision was seen as an act of extreme trust in director Todd Phillips and his vision for the sequel.

The first ‘Joker’ film was an unexpected hit, grossing over $1 billion on a budget of just $55 million. This, coupled with the huge impact of Joaquin Phoenix ‘s performance , led to very high expectations for the sequel. Still, the decision not to hold test screenings before its release has surprised many in the industry, especially since the film also introduces musical elements – an unusual approach for a film based on a comic book character.

What is the risk of not having done the test projections?

Lack of test screenings can be a significant risk, as you miss the opportunity to fine-tune the film based on audiences’ first impressions. But recent examples in the film industry, such as ‘The Flash’, show that even with positive screenings, the end result can be unpredictable.

The trust placed in Todd Phillips and his team to make a sequel that would maintain the level of success of the first film seems to have been a risky bet. Without test screenings, the film was thrown straight into the judgement of critics and audiences, but this shows that the filmmaker had complete creative freedom.

What do critics say about ‘Joker 2’?

Critical reception to ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ has been mixed. While the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga have been praised, especially for Phoenix’s intensity in the role of the Joker, some critics believe the film does not reach the same level of impact as the first.

Read More: Here’s How ‘joker: Folie À Deux’ Fares At The Box Office After Its First Few Days Of Previews