Back in 2019, Todd Phillips changed the landscape of one of the most iconic and beloved characters of all time with his film Joker. Starring Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role, the movie had unexpected twists at every turn and Warner Bros. loved the idea…but it wasn’t always the case.
Back in 2009, the director took charge of creating the iconic film The Hangover. Being a relatively unknown director at that time, Warner Bros. tried to cut Todd Phillips’ salary in half but his attorney came up with an even better deal!
When Todd Phillips Earned 11 Times Than What Warner Bros. Offered!
Before Phillips earned worldwide recognition as the guy who directed Joker, the director was already busy making a name for himself. Starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and, Ed Helms, Todd Phillips created something legendary in 2009.
Creating a comedy movie about how a groom gets lost at his bachelorette party, The Hangover was born and it became the highest R-Rated comedy film of that time. With Warner Bros. backing the movie, the studio wasn’t so sure about the movie and suggested that the Joker director cut his $6.5 million salary in half with the other amount paid in full if the movie was a success.
Todd Phillips’ lawyers instead brought a better deal for Warner Bros. The attorneys stated that Phillips was ready to forego almost all of his salary if he could have a 16% stake in the film. Well, Warner Bros. agreed to the decision, and with the success of The Hangover, Todd Phillips ended up with a whopping $70 million in his pocket! An amount almost 11 times more than the previous amount that the studio was ready to give him!
Joker: Folie à Deux Will Be A Risky Movie
With the success that Todd Phillips created with Joker, Warner Bros. Discovery seems to be wanting to recreate that magic. Bringing the iconic character of Joker back to the big screens with Joaquin Phoenix, Joker: Folie à Deux is currently in post-production. A cinematographer on the film, Lawrence Sher, revealed to Definition Magazine (via Home of DCU) that the movie is a big risky movie!
“It’s a pretty risky movie, and it’s going to be surprising for people. I’m so excited for everyone to see it. [The movie is in] final stages of post-production.”
He further continued,
“Something I appreciate about Todd Phillips – who I’ve done seven movies with, including Joker – is he’s always taking risks,”
Well, with the Joker director working his magic, Joker: Folie à Deux will be the next magnum opus of Todd Phillips. The original movie earned a rating of 8.4/10 on IMDB and is available to stream on Max in the U.S.
