Joker Star Joaquin Phoenix Almost Starred as the DC Villain in The Dark Knight

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As a seasoned movie critic with decades of film viewing under my belt, I can confidently say that Joaquin Phoenix‘s performance as the Joker in Todd Phillips’ “Joker” (2019) was nothing short of extraordinary. However, had he taken on the role in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” (2008), it might have been a different story altogether.

In an alternate scenario, “The Dark Knight” (2008) might not have been as somber without Heath Ledger’s striking portrayal of the Joker. Interestingly, Joaquin Phoenix shares that he had a chance to embody this legendary DC villain in Christopher Nolan’s sequel to “Batman Begins,” instead of Ledger. However, fate had other plans, as it was 11 years later when Phoenix finally donned the villainous role in Todd Phillips’ “Joker” (2019). During an appearance on the “Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin” podcast, Phoenix talked about his missed opportunity to play the DC Comics character in “The Dark Knight.

To clarify, I had a conversation with Chris Nolan regarding The Dark Knight, but for some reason, that collaboration didn’t materialize. At the time, I wasn’t prepared for it. It’s one of those instances where you might wonder, ‘Why am I not involved?’ But it wasn’t due to my abilities; there was another individual destined for that role instead.

As the ecstatic winner of the Best Actor Oscar for my chilling portrayal of the infamous Joker in 2019’s blockbuster film, I shared some thoughts during a subsequent interview:

Reflecting on it now, I simply can’t fathom the movie without Heath Ledger’s exceptional performance. I’m unsure if Christopher Nolan was ever pitching that role to me, saying “You’re definitely the one.” To be honest, the specifics of our first encounter have become a bit blurry over time, but I do recall meeting him. Initially, I had this gut feeling that I shouldn’t take on the role, and it’s possible that he might have felt the same way – “You’re not the guy.” Yet, in the end, I couldn’t voice my reservations.

Just like Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger received an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for his portrayal of the Joker. However, this recognition came posthumously following his untimely death in January 2008. Both these talented actors share the distinction of being part of only four DC films that managed to surpass a billion dollars at the box office.

The Oscar-Winning Jokers & Their Billion-Dollar Blockbusters

Todd Phillips’ movie “Joker” earned approximately $1.063 billion worldwide (according to The Numbers), while Christian Bale and Heath Ledger’s on-screen rivalry in “The Dark Knight” raked in a similar amount of $1.007 billion globally. Additionally, two other DC films that reached this financial milestone are Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” which grossed $1.082 billion, and the James Wan-directed superhero film “Aquaman” starring Jason Momoa, with earnings of $1.131 billion.

Regrettably, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as the character in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ has been tarnished beyond repair due to the questionable decisions made during its production. While ‘The Dark Knight’ was highly acclaimed with a 94% Tomatometer score, ‘Joker 2’ received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics with a 32% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The fans of the Batman villain were equally unforgiving towards ‘Folie à Deux’, giving it a 32% rating on Popcornmeter and a “D” grade from CinemaScore.

From a different perspective, viewers were captivated by the partnership between director Christopher Nolan and actor Heath Ledger in their collaborative projects. The Dark Knight, for instance, garnered a 94% score on the Popcornmeter, and received an “A” rating from CinemaScore. In essence, both actors delivered remarkable performances in their individual films. Although Joker 2 is disorganized, Phoenix shines in Phillips’ initial production. Nevertheless, for those who haven’t experienced these iconic DC films, it’s best to make up their own minds. Currently, you can stream both the gripping Joker and Nolan’s highly recommended The Dark Knight on Max.

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2024-10-29 17:02