Joaquin Phoenix on ‘Joker 2’ Weight Loss: ‘This is Probably It for Me’

Joaquin Phoenix might have had enough of physical transformations in his career. This week, he premiered “Joker 2” at the Venice Film Festival, addressing his process and preparation for the role during a press conference. He discussed his physical transformation, a recurring theme in his career.

Phoenix revealed that he lost weight as he did for the first “Joker” film, only this time it was more challenging due to extensive dance rehearsals. “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,” he mentioned. “And so it felt a bit more difficult.”

A journalist then asked him if he could continue doing these radical transformations in the future. “You’re right. I’m 49,” Phoenix said. “I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me.”

Despite the challenges, Phoenix clarified that the weight loss process was supervised by a doctor and was relatively simple without dangers or side effects. “I’m not going to talk through specifics of the diet, because I just think nobody wants to hear that,” he added.

He also shared that his co-star, Lady Gaga, underwent significant weight loss for the role as well. “Stefani also lost a lot of weight,” he said. “I remember when I first met you in rehearsals and then you went away and when you came back, you lost a lot of weight. It was really impressive.”

During the promotion of the first “Joker” film, Phoenix had revealed he lost 52 pounds, describing the process as taxing on his mental health. At the Venice Film Festival, he chose not to delve into details this time around, explaining that he previously felt “sick of myself and angry at myself for making such a big deal about that part.”

“So this time I was like, ‘I’m not going to do that,’” he concluded.