There has been a whole debate among fans regarding DC co-head James Gunn’s potential involvement in Todd Phillips’ Joker 2. There is no doubt that Warner Brothers did not hesitate to spend big bucks on the project following the surprising hit of the movie’s first installment, which was released in 2019. While the sequel sparked high anticipation among fans, critics and fans are not on board with Joker: Folie à Deux. The movie saw a serious drop in Rotten Tomatoes score following the theatrical release and is now standing at just 33% score. Amid the devastating blows the DC sequel is facing, the debate of Gunn’s involvement in the project stirred a conversation among fans, but what’s the truth behind it?
Was James Gunn Involved In Todd Phillips’ Joker 2?
Joker 2. Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
In November 2022, James Gunn and Peter Safran were hired to run the DC studios. The duo has decided to revamp the entire landscape of the studios changing the faces of the superheroes including Henry Cavill’s Superman being replaced by David Corenswet’s new version who will appear in Gunn’s upcoming movie Superman. With that, the question comes to mind: did Gunn have any involvement in Todd Phillips’ Joker 2?
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On December 15 last year, Gunn addressed the issue after a fan enquired about it on Threads. The DC Boss clarified that he was not directly involved with the project, just handed a few notes to Warner Brothers— DC’s parent company. “Todd had Joker in full swing by the time we came onboard – I’ve watched and given notes, but it is mostly with WB, where it started. Everything forward in live-action we’re involved with.” Gunn wrote on the platform at the time.
Although Phillips’ Joker movies starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck come with the DC tag, the franchise is not part of Gunn’s DC Universe. The movie series has been labeled as an “elsewhere” or “outskirt” DC project, same goes with Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga which includes The Batman and the most recent series The Penguin.
What did Todd Phillips say about James Gunn’s Involvement In Joker 2?
Joker 2. Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director Todd Phillips who also directed the original movie which earned over a stunning $1 billion, made with an estimated $70 million modest production budget, has revealed that Gunn was not involved in his project. “With all due respect to [Gunn and Safran],” Phillips said at the movie’s pre-screening Q&A, attended by /Film’s Bill Bria, Todd Phillips, and co-writer Scott Silver (via, /Film.
Adding to the comment of the director Silver said, “This is kind of a Warner Brothers movie, and that’s them also wanting it to be like, ‘Okay, Todd did his thing. Let Todd continue to do his thing.'” He added that development of their movie started before the new DC bosses “even came up for it.”
Phillips also shared that when Gunn and Safarn saw a cut of the movie “It is not like DC proper, even though it’ll say DC after.” Right now, it is unclear if Gunn would involve himself in “elsewhere” projects as he is super focused on the newly built DC Universe which is set to kickstart with Creature Commandos and Superman.
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As per a report by Variety, Joker 2 has earned $121.1 million at the international box office. The movie cost a whopping $200 million to produce and Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s star-powered movie still has a long way to make a profit.
Joker 2 is now showing in theaters.
