Joker Movie Premiere

After its bold and triumphant premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Golden Lion winner Joker goes out in most overseas markets Wednesday with previews starting stateside at 4 p.m. Thursday. All in, Todd Phillips’ R-rated origins take on Batman’s chief villain is set to post a global debut of $155M, which would be the second-best for October behind last year’s Venom ($207.4M).

Neither headlines about security threats at U.S. theaters, nor the pic’s R rating has slowed tracking forecasts, which still have the movie eyeing a October-record domestic opening of $80M+ at 4,300 locations, upsetting Venom‘s $80.25M. That theater count reps a new high for October, besting Venom‘s 4,250-venue launch last year. Should the Warner Bros-Village Roadshow co-production come in less than $80M, then it’s on the hands of non-fanboys and crossover audiences, who might find this tough pic about a deranged guy hard to swallow. It’s everything you heard the film would be: the DC universe meets Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. Joker, the only wide release of the weekend, will play at all Imax, PLFs, Dine-Ins and motion seat venues. (Deadline)