I Shouldn’t Likely Do This Again

Joaquin Phoenix has opened up about the rigorous weight loss regimen he undertook for his role in the upcoming film “Joker: Folie à Deux.” During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, the acclaimed actor, now 49, revealed that losing weight for this sequel proved to be more challenging than for the original “Joker,” released in 2019. The addition of musical elements and numerous dance rehearsals made the process particularly demanding.

“This time, it felt a bit more complicated just because there was so much dance rehearsal that we were doing, which I didn’t have last time,” Phoenix explained. “So it felt a bit more difficult.” His comments underscored the physical toll that the role took on him, a sentiment reflected in his playful acknowledgment of his own age. When asked whether there might come a time when he could no longer endure the drastic physical transformations, Phoenix quipped, “You’re right. I’m 49. I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me.”

Despite the challenges, Phoenix emphasized that his weight loss was carefully monitored and “not really that dangerous.” He worked closely with a doctor but chose not to disclose the specifics of his diet, admitting that discussing it might not interest the public. “Nobody really wants to hear that,” he remarked.

Lady Gaga co-stars as Harley Quinn in the film, and Phoenix mentioned that she too underwent a significant transformation. “I met you and then we did some rehearsals, and then you went away for like a month, and then you came back and you lost a lot of weight,” he said, praising her dedication. “It was really impressive and seemed very difficult.”

When pressed about the exact amount of weight he lost for the sequel, Phoenix hesitated to provide a figure. He had previously expressed irritation over the focus on his physical changes for the first “Joker” film, remarking, “By the end of that run, I was so sick of myself and angry at myself for making such a thing of it.” In a light-hearted moment, he teased, “It was 47 pounds,” before clarifying that he was joking.

For the original “Joker,” Phoenix lost a staggering 52 pounds, portraying Arthur Fleck, whose character appeared emaciated throughout the film. Director Todd Phillips had a clear vision for the character, wanting him to look “malnourished and thin and hungry.” To achieve this, Phoenix followed a strict diet that—according to past reports—consisted largely of apples, lettuce, and steamed green beans. “It’s a horrible, brutal diet but you get all the vitamins and minerals, so you’re like safe,” he described. “It’s grotesque.”

Reflecting on his drastic weight loss for the first film, Phoenix noted that it significantly impacted his mental state. “You start to go mad when you lose that much weight in that amount of time,” he explained, indicating just how intense the experience was for him.

Other actors have also gained notoriety for extreme weight loss transformations. Christian Bale is one such example, who famously lost 70 pounds for roles in “Vice” and “Ford v Ferrari.” Bale himself has remarked on the toll these transformations take, saying in 2019, “I keep saying I’m done with it. I really think I’m done with it.”

During the press conference, Phoenix was also asked about a recent controversy involving his sudden withdrawal from a gay romance film that was set to be directed by Todd Haynes. Reports indicated that he departed the project just five days before filming was scheduled to commence. While facing criticism for this last-minute decision, Phoenix opted not to elaborate on the circumstances, saying, “If I do, I would just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, and it just doesn’t feel like that would be right.” He concluded, “So, I don’t think I will. Thank you.”

As Phoenix embarks on this latest chapter in his career with “Joker: Folie à Deux,” fans are eager to see how his character will evolve, especially in light of the significant physical and mental preparations he undertook.

Source: USA Today