Making a sequel to 2019's Joker, which grossed more than $1bn (£790m), was something Hollywood found simply irresistible.
Unfortunately, the resulting film, Joker: Folie à Deux, was something audiences found entirely resistible.
Making the film a musical was a bold swing, but the tonal handbrake turn alienated the fans and critics who adored the Oscar-winning original.
Folie à Deux managed to scrape over the $200m (£158m) mark, but that was barely enough to cover its production budget, let alone marketing costs.
It wasn't the only movie flop of the year - audiences were also unenthusiastic about Madame Web, The Fall Guy, Kraven the Hunter, Megalopolis, Borderlands, Argylle, Unstoppable and Furiosa: A Mad Max Story.