Joker: Warner Bros. changes its approach to the press

Warner Bros. made a bold move by prohibiting the media from the Hollywood premiere of Joker, and it could set off a change in their approach to other films.

It appears Warner Bros. is finally wising up to the media when it comes to Joker. With the history of the DCEU and Warner Bros.’ handling, it seems they have had it with the media.

Joker premieres Saturday at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, but print and broadcast journalists are not on the invite list to this red carpet event. You can expect stars from the film to attend such as Joaquin Phoenix, director Todd Philips, and supporting cast members like Zazie Beetz and Frances Conroy. A studio spokesperson from Warner Bros. said,

"“Our red carpet is comprised of photographers only, […] a lot has been said about ‘Joker,’ and we just feel it’s time for people to see the film.”"

Warner Bros. is on to something here. The media is making such a fuss about Joker, even though most, if barely any of them, have not seen the film. Already people are politicizing the film in a sense. Detractors believe this film could create mass shooters and mass shootings. It’s the age-old story of media creates violence. Comic fans ought to already see parallels with the fifties and how the Comics Code Authority came into existence. In both scenarios, the same kind of irrational thought is driving people’s fears.

Right now, we live in a society where the media does have power over the narratives of stories when no one knows the full story. Instead of doing research and leg work themselves, they fall back on the words of others. Part of this is because our society is ever so busy, and we have so much content at our fingertips to read and make our decisions for us.

Social media, critics and more already massacred Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. One may even add Man of Steel. Here we are now, and Batman v. Superman is the Blade Runner of comic book films. Sadly, the narrative constructed to paint the film as horrible and negative resulted in bad publicity for Warner Bros. This snowballs into a profit still but a lower profit margin for the film. People still paint this film as a black mark on Warner Bros’ history. Yes, the film is a cult-hit now, but the damage is already done.

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With films such as Joker and other hits like The Dark Knight and Batman v. Superman, we see that Warner Bros. is not looking to leave these kinds of films behind. This is what sets them apart from others, especially Disney. Warner Bros takes a sort of pride in their dark, driven, existential comic-book films. Again, people still discuss Batman v. Superman. Meanwhile, audiences who are not superhero fans love The Dark Knight. Film making such as this is what keeps Warner Bros relevant.

Unfortunately, some critics can manipulate the telling of these films to the point that it’s their job. Do not for a moment take this as a conspiracy or agenda. No, but this critic industry is much like Lex Luthor – “they need to see you for the fraud you are.” They are not interested in proving anything but instead pushing others into their train of thought while using distortion. In essence, they have pre-conceived bias and they want others to share.

Let us hope Warner Bros. can take the ground back. Let the film speak for itself instead of critics and journalists.