Joaquin Phoenix's intense Joker journey balanced genius alleged with diva behavior

Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of the iconic Joker character has been a subject of both acclaim and controversy. As we revisit his journey, it's evident that his commitment to the role was both mentally and physically demanding, but not without its contentious moments. Director Todd Phillips shared insights about Phoenix's unique working style. "In the middle of the scene, he’ll just walk away and walk out," Phillips revealed to the New York Times, highlighting a practice that often left his co-stars bewildered. This behavior, while reflective of Phoenix's deep immersion into the character, raised questions about professionalism on set.

An incident on Jimmy Kimmel Live brought this to the forefront, where Phoenix confronted a leaked outtake showing him in a heated argument with cinematographer Lawrence Sher. Phoenix's reaction to Sher's constant whispering escalated quickly, leading to an abrupt exit. Reflecting on this, Phoenix admitted, "That was supposed to be private... I'm a little embarrassed, I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry you guys had to see that."

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Creative conflicts: Phoenix vs. De Niro

Phoenix's approach to acting occasionally clashed with Hollywood norms, notably with veteran actor Robert De Niro. The tension peaked over a script read-through, which Phoenix was reluctant to do but De Niro insisted upon. Director Phillips recounted, "Bob called me and he goes, ‘Tell [Phoenix] he’s an actor and he’s got to be there, I like to hear the whole movie, and we’re going to all get in a room and just read it.'" This incident highlighted the differing methodologies of two acting powerhouses, ultimately resolved in De Niro's favor.

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Reflections on Phoenix's artistic journey

Looking back at Phoenix's journey in Joker, it's clear that his intense commitment to the role was a double-edged sword. His deep dive into the character brought to life a hauntingly memorable performance, yet it was not without its share of on-set drama. His interactions with co-stars and crew members paint a picture of an artist wholly devoted to his craft, sometimes at the cost of conventional set etiquette. As we revisit these moments from the making of Joker, it becomes evident that Joaquin Phoenix's journey was as much about navigating his intense approach to character as it was about delivering a performance that would become a talking point for years to come.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)