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Joaquin Phoenix, known for his transformative performances, has hinted that ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ might be his final movie. During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, the actor expressed his reluctance to undergo another extreme physical transformation for a role. Phoenix’s return as Arthur Fleck, the disturbed character he brought to life in ‘Joker’ (2019), was physically demanding, but this time, at 49 years old, he suggested that such rigorous preparation may be behind him. “I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me,” Phoenix candidly remarked when asked about the weight loss required for the sequel.
For ‘Joker’ (2019), Phoenix lost a staggering 52 pounds, which contributed to his character’s gaunt and unsettling look. He achieved this through a restrictive diet of steamed vegetables and lettuce, and the transformation became a widely discussed aspect of his performance. However, when asked about the specifics of his diet for ‘Folie à Deux’, Phoenix was hesitant to provide details, noting that this time, the process felt more “complicated” due to the amount of dance rehearsal involved. The sequel, which introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, features several musical elements that required Phoenix to maintain stamina for both acting and choreography.
Phoenix also expressed frustration with how much attention his weight loss received in the past. While acknowledging his role in fueling this fascination by talking about it during the promotion of the first film, he reflected on how it became an unhealthy focus. “You just do what you’re f***ing supposed to do,” Phoenix said, implying that the transformation is part of the job, not something to glorify. This time around, he was determined not to let it dominate the conversation. “By the end of that run, I was so sick of myself and angry at myself for making such a big deal about that part,” he admitted.
In addition to his remarks about ‘Joker 2’, Phoenix was asked about his sudden decision to quit Todd Haynes’s gay romance film just days before shooting was set to begin. The actor declined to go into specifics, explaining that it wouldn’t be fair to discuss his reasons without the other parties involved being present. This move effectively halted the film’s production, though Phoenix did not comment further on whether the project would be revived in the future.
With ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ set to release in October 2024, it remains to be seen if this will indeed be Phoenix’s swan song or if the ever-enigmatic actor will return to the screen in the future. Joaquin Phoenix Suggests Joker 2 Could Be His Last Film: “That’s It for Me”
Joaquin Phoenix, known for his transformative performances, has hinted that ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ might be his final movie. During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, the actor expressed his reluctance to undergo another extreme physical transformation for a role. Phoenix’s return as Arthur Fleck, the disturbed character he brought to life in ‘Joker’ (2019), was physically demanding, but this time, at 49 years old, he suggested that such rigorous preparation may be behind him. “I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me,” Phoenix candidly remarked when asked about the weight loss required for the sequel.
For ‘Joker’ (2019), Phoenix lost a staggering 52 pounds, which contributed to his character’s gaunt and unsettling look. He achieved this through a restrictive diet of steamed vegetables and lettuce, and the transformation became a widely discussed aspect of his performance. However, when asked about the specifics of his diet for ‘Folie à Deux’ Phoenix was hesitant to provide details, noting that this time, the process felt more “complicated” due to the amount of dance rehearsal involved. The sequel, which introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, features several musical elements that required Phoenix to maintain stamina for both acting and choreography.
Phoenix also expressed frustration with how much attention his weight loss received in the past. While acknowledging his role in fueling this fascination by talking about it during the promotion of the first film, he reflected on how it became an unhealthy focus. “You just do what you’re f***ing supposed to do,” Phoenix said, implying that the transformation is part of the job, not something to glorify. This time around, he was determined not to let it dominate the conversation. “By the end of that run, I was so sick of myself and angry at myself for making such a big deal about that part,” he admitted.
In addition to his remarks about ‘Joker 2’, Phoenix was asked about his sudden decision to quit Todd Haynes’s gay romance film just days before shooting was set to begin. The actor declined to go into specifics, explaining that it wouldn’t be fair to discuss his reasons without the other parties involved being present. This move effectively halted the film’s production, though Phoenix did not comment further on whether the project would be revived in the future.
With ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ set to release in October 2024, it remains to be seen if this will indeed be Phoenix’s swan song or if the ever-enigmatic actor will return to the screen in the future.
