Lady Gaga is reportedly “in shock” and “disappointed” by the backlash against her recent film, Joker: Folie à Deux. The pop icon’s portrayal of Harleen Lee Quinzel, known as Harley Quinn, has not resonated well with fans, despite her limited screen time of only 33 minutes in the over two-hour film. This comes in the wake of the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Joker, which has performed poorly at the box office, grossing under $40 million domestically and earning the lowest CinemaScore for a comic book film.
While initially receiving excitement for the collaboration between Gaga and lead actor Joaquin Phoenix, the film faced heavy criticism upon release. A source close to Gaga revealed that she is bewildered by the negative reaction, particularly when considering the film’s celebrated standing ovation during its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Gaga reportedly invested significant effort into her role and holds a deep respect for the DC Comics community.
As the negative reviews pile up, Gaga’s team has shifted into crisis management mode, actively seeking new opportunities to help her move past this setback. An insider mentioned that Gaga remains hopeful and is even eyeing a potential role in Quentin Tarantino’s forthcoming film, which she views as a critical career milestone. She is eager to audition and plans to advocate for a meeting with Tarantino once the script is ready.
Despite the financial disappointment of Joker: Folie à Deux, Gaga is determined not to let the criticism deter her. Fans have not held back their opinions, expressing frustration over the promotional material that suggested a more prominent role for her, only to find that her screen time was significantly lower than anticipated. One fan lamented spending a considerable amount to see the film, expressing that Gaga’s appearance felt misleading. Others speculate that deleted scenes could be manipulated into a future release to capitalize on the fan base.
Lady Gaga’s career trajectory remains steadfast as she navigates through this tumultuous moment. The artist’s resilience and drive for future projects are evident as she sets her sights on new endeavors.