Joker Director Explains Why DC's Top Movie Bosses Were Not Involved In The Sequel

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated countless virtual universes, I find myself intrigued by this real-world drama unfolding within the DC Universe. James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new co-heads of DC Studios, were purposefully left out of the Joker sequel production because it was considered a Warner Bros. movie rather than a DC Studios movie.


James Gunn and Peter Safran have taken on co-head roles at DC Studios, however, they are not connected to the production of “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which is being directed by Todd Phillips. In a recent question-and-answer session, Phillips mentioned that Gunn and Safran were intentionally excluded from discussions regarding this film because it was classified as a Warner Bros. project rather than a DC Studios production, making it beyond their direct jurisdiction.

In response to the work of Gunn and Safran, Phillips expressed that this project has a similar feel to a Warner Brothers movie. He also noted that they seemed content with Phillips carrying on with his unique approach, as indicated in his statement “Okay, Todd did his thing. Let Todd continue to do his thing.” (Reported by Slash Film)

It’s worth noting that the start of production for “Folie à Deux” occurred prior to James Gunn and Peter Safran being appointed as co-heads of DC Studios in October 2022, while the initial Joker film premiered back in 2019.

Gunn and Safran watched an early version of the movie “Folie à Deux” before it hit theaters, but Phillips clarified. He noted that “Folie à Deux” isn’t a traditional film set in Washington D.C. (also known as “DC”).

Phillips’ Joker series and Matt Reeves’ The Batman saga fall under the DC Elseworlds banner, a separate universe from the mainstream DC storyline. This gives creators more freedom to explore unique narratives without influencing the broader narrative. In contrast, Gunn and Safran are managing the primary DC movie series, encompassing 2025’s Superman film and 2026’s Supergirl production.

Currently playing in cinemas is “Folie à Deux,” a movie that has amassed over $120 million globally during its opening weekend, but unfortunately, it’s underperforming compared to the original at the box office. It’s important to note that it was never predicted that this film would achieve the same level of success as the original, which eventually grossed well over a billion dollars worldwide.

For more on Folie à Deux, check out TopMob’s breakdown of the film’s divisive and shocking ending.

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2024-10-07 17:08