Warner Bros.’ Joker is no laughing matter: the DC film is on track for a monster-sized opening weekend.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, early tracking estimates the film -- which stars Joaquin Phoenix as the titular Clown Prince of Crime -- is set to land with a domestic, record-breaking box-office of $82 million over its opening weekend.
Such an opening would see Joker beat Sony’s 2018 film Venom, which currently holds the record for the biggest October release ever with $80.2 million.
Lower estimates track the film for a $77 million start, while others see the film opening much higher, with an $87 million haul.
Todd Phillips’ dark supervillain origin film previously won the Best Film award at the Venice Film Festival. While there is a lot of awards buzz surrounding the highly anticipated film, Joker is being criticized for its level of violence and subject matter. The film currently has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 75%.
Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker stars Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham. The film arrives in theaters Oct. 4.