Despite high expectations, presumptions of Oscar contention, and an open field in theaters, WBD’s and DC Studio’s estimated $200-million budgeted comic book sequel Joker: Folie À Deux appears headed for major disappointment on its opening weekend, and may wind up as a 2024 box office punchline.

“Joker: Folie à Deux,” the sequel to the hit 2019 movie based on the “Batman” comics archvillain, was the top box-office draw this weekend amid caustic reviews and audience disdain. The Warner Bros. Pictures’ ( NASDAQ: WBD) feature grossed $40 million, according to studio estimates compiled by Comscore.

Rather than fill us in on her life, director Todd Phillips uses this as an opportunity for Gaga to sing snippets from a host of songs – including those found in movie musicals. That delays the inevitable and makes us wonder why Gaga even agreed to do this.