The movie Joker has overtaken Deadpool to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
A controversial movie since its release, the Clown Prince of Crime’s origin story is doing superbly well since then.
Todd Phllip’s film attracted decent numbers after beating Venom’s domestic box office record for an October opening (drawing in $96 million, compared to $80.25m), but this is unprecedented.
Sitting at a massive $785.5 million, Joker tops the R-rated leaderboard at the worldwide box office, said Forbes.
Previously, in 2016 Deadpool which stars Ryan Reynolds made a huge $783 million at the worldwide box office.
Reynolds congratulated the Clown Prince of Crime on Instagram in true R-rated fashion:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4C-YdWJr8f/?utm_source=ig_embed
Audiences have been rushing watch the cultural phenomenon that is Joker because of the character’s popularity and surrounding backlash.
Joker is expected to surpass $900 million while some box office analysts speculate that it could reach $1billion.
Lovers of Joker can recreate the now-iconic dance scene at the Bronx neighbourhood of Highbridge to the tune of Rock & Roll Part II.
The film has garnered a Golden Lion (a highly prestigious award, generally a precursor to a Best Picture Oscar nomination) at the Venice Film Festival.
UNILAD named Joker film of the year, describing it as ‘terrifying, harrowing, volatile triumph’.
However, not everyone is head over heels with Joker. Jared Leto was upset when Warner Bros. went ahead with the film without including him as the titular character.
He was allegedly promised the role after his debut in Suicide Squad, as The Hollywood Reporter reports.
Leto complained to his agents at CAA, who also represents Phillips. He also asked his music manager Irving Azoff to contact Warner Bros.’ parent company to get the film canned.
Leto allegedly claimed he wasn’t treated like an Oscar-winning actor.
We may see Joaquin Phoenix taking on the role again.
In an interview on Popcorn with Peter Travers, Phoenix discussed taking on the character and what the future could hold for him in the role.
Phoenix said:
I wouldn’t have thought of this as my dream role. But now, honestly, I can’t stop thinking about it. I talked to Todd a lot about what else we might be able to do, in general, just working together, but also specifically, if there’s something else we can do with Joker that might be interesting.
Phoenix and Adam Driver (Marriage Story) are the frontrunners for Best Leading Actor as predictions for next year’s Oscars start to roll in.
With 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, Joker is described as ‘a chillingly plausible origin story that serves as a brilliant showcase for its star.’