Todd Phillips May Have Damaged WB’s Relationship With Christopher Nolan Forever With Joker 2
- The ending of 'Joker 2' has sparked controversy, with a scene that reportedly disregarded Christopher Nolan's words.
- The ending leads to a confusing speculation that it connects to Heath Ledger's Joker.
- Heath Ledger's Joker was more comic accurate, whereas Joaquin Phoenix's version is more relatable.
Spoiler Alert!!
The Clown Prince of Crime has been part of Batman’s coterie of enemies for many years. Heath Ledger’s portrayal in The Dark Knight darkened the shades of the character to a level no one has achieved. Fast forward to 2019, and Todd Phillips gave a new take on the character with his movie Joker.
The film was loved by both the audience and critics. It appeared as if Warner Bros. got lucky twice with the same character. But the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, has caused some controversy. The ending of the film might create some differences between Warner Bros. and one of its most important contributors, Christopher Nolan.
Christopher Nolan’s Influence on Joker 2’s Ending
Joker: Folie à Deux hit theaters with high expectations. But when it came to opening weekend, the movie practically flopped. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it opened to $37.8 million at the domestic box office, which is even lower than some of the most infamous comic book movies like The Flash and The Marvels.
One Warner Bros. insider told The Hollywood Reporter that the movie is “complete audience rejection.” It also ended up being the first comic book film with a D CinemaScore. That is a far cry from the billion-dollar success of the original.
However, one major issue lies in the film’s ending. According to sources, the first Joker had a scene where Joker carves a smile into his face. However, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Christopher Nolan turned down this idea, pointing out that only his Joker should remain the one to perform this graphic act.
Since Nolan was not working at Warner Bros. anymore, Todd Phillips decided to do that in the sequel. At the end of Joker 2, an inmate murders Arthur Fleck and then scars a smile on his own face, implying the rise of a new Joker.
Audiences have not taken this decision kindly. Many are getting confused, and speculating if this is the actual creation of Heath Ledger‘s Joker. The ending might have long-term consequences for Warner Bros. and Nolan.
Nolan’s departure in 2021 was already a drawback for the studio. It came because of differences in the release of films within the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ending of Joker 2 looks as if the filmmakers are challenging Nolan’s legacy directly.
Heath Ledger’s Joker Vs. Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker
It is impossible not to draw comparisons between Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker and Heath Ledger’s Joker. Both are realistic depictions that portray the complex psychology of the character. But now, the ending of the sequel has stirred the discussion once again.
Ledger’s Joker is probably the best comic-accurate representation of Joker on the big screen. He owns each frame of the movie and perfectly balances between madness and criminal intellect. This paints him well as the arch-nemesis of Batman.
On the other hand, Phoenix’s Joker is depicted as a more pathetic figure. The transition from a poor civilian to a villain is explained through psychological disorder and social abandonment. This makes the character more human. However, some fans feel that it makes the Joker less of an agent of chaos.
Perhaps Phillips has gone too far by giving the face carving another chance after Nolan dismissed it. The consequences of this action raised the potential for tension between the studio and other acclaimed directors as well.
Joker: Folie à Deux is running in theaters now.
