Joaquin Phoenix reveals he was approached for Joker role in 'The Dark Knight'

Actor Joaquin Phoenix recently shared that he had discussions with director Christopher Nolan about playing the Joker in the 2008 film The Dark Knight, but ultimately decided against it. Reflecting on the decision, Phoenix revealed, "I wasn’t ready then. There’s something else. There’s another person who is going to do something.” Heath Ledger ultimately took on the role, delivering an iconic performance that earned him a posthumous Academy Award.

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 Joaquin Phoenix ’s Reflections on Ledger’s Performance

Speaking on Rick Rubin’s Tetragrammaton podcast, Phoenix expressed admiration for Ledger’s work, saying, “I can’t imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have Heath Ledger’s performance in that film." Ledger’s portrayal is still celebrated as one of the best villain performances in cinema history, marking a powerful moment in superhero film.

Phoenix ’s Own Acclaimed Joker Portrayal

In 2019, Phoenix himself finally took on the Joker role in Todd Phillips' Joker, for which he won an Academy Award. He has since reprised the character in Joker: Folie à Deux, a unique musical sequel alongside Lady Gaga. This second chapter delves deeper into the psychological unraveling of the infamous DC villain, expanding Phoenix’s portrayal of the complex character he once passed on in The Dark Knight.

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