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In 2019, the film “The Joker,” directed by Todd Phillips, captivated audiences worldwide with its remarkable storyline and performances. One actor, in particular, stole the spotlight and earned an Oscar award for his outstanding portrayal—Joaquin Phoenix. While Phoenix’s exceptional acting left fans mesmerized, it was his dramatic weight loss for the role that sparked significant conversations during the film’s production.

Now, with news of a sequel to the movie, discussions surrounding Phoenix’s weight loss have resurfaced. Phoenix’s role was a testament to the dedication and pushing boundaries in the movie. But a few months back, he provided some insight into the dark side of such extreme preparations.

The weight-loss journey had an adverse impact on the psychology of Joaquin Phoenix

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In March 2023, Joaquin Phoenix sat down for an interview and opened up about the harrowing experience of preparing for the original movie. The Oscar-winning actor confessed that his weight loss for the film impacted him on a psychological level. He claimed that losing such a significant amount of weight in a short period can be an exhausting task. And the legendary actor said that the process took a toll on his mental and emotional well-being.

“As it turns out, that impacts your psychology, and you really start to go mad when you lose that much weight in that amount of time.”, Phoenix shared during the interview. This revelation sheds light on the immense pressure and dedication actors often endure to transform themselves for roles, especially when the character demands such a drastic change.

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Joaquin Phoenix’s fascination with political assassins and its influence on the Joker character

Interestingly, during the same interview, Phoenix mentioned being influenced by a book about political assassins. He found it intriguing as it delved into the different types of personalities that might engage in such actions. “There’s also a book about political assassins that I thought was interesting, and breaks down the different types of personalities that do those sorts of things.”, he wrote. This insight may have played a role in shaping his understanding of the Joker character, a man driven to madness and violence by societal neglect and his own inner demons. 

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Overall, as fans eagerly anticipate the sequel to The Joker, one can’t help but wonder how the actor will approach his preparation this time around.