JOKER Star Joaquin Phoenix Reflects On Clashing With Co-Star Robert De Niro Over Table Reads

JOKER Star Joaquin Phoenix Reflects On Clashing With Co-Star Robert De Niro Over Table Reads

During a recent interview, Joker star Joaquin Phoenix reflected on clashing with co-star Robert De Niro over his reluctance to attend table reads before the DC Comics adaptation started shooting...

By JoshWilding - Apr 12, 2020 03:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Joker
Source: GQ

Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best actors on the planet today, but he has some pretty unique approaches to the craft. As well as being method, it seems he's not a fan of table reads. During a lengthy chat with GQ, he revealed that he clashed with Robert De Niro while shooting Joker.

It's said that De Niro reportedly told Phillips, 'Tell him he’s an actor and he’s got to be there...I like to hear the whole movie and we’re going to all get in a room and just read it.' Phoenix, meanwhile, responded, 'There’s no f***ing way I’m doing a read-through.'

So, yeah, things didn't exactly get off to the best of starts, but a compromise was eventually reached. 

Phoenix reveals that he agreed to a read-through at De Niro's production office, and the actor noted that he's big fan of the Hollywood legend since seeing him in Raging Bull. However, he struggled with this table read as he "mumbled" his way through the script for Joker

The Oscar-winner felt sick and actually declined De Niro's offer for a private talk in his office. Things ended positively, though, when De Niro kissed Phoenix on the cheek and said, 'It’s going to be OK, bubbeleh.' That's an interaction we definitely wish had been recorded for the Blu-ray's extras. 

Their dynamic in Joker was great regardless, but it clearly took a while for them to get there!

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BraveNewClunge
BraveNewClunge - 4/12/2020, 4:01 AM

'Things ended positively, though, when De Niro kissed Phoenix on the cheek and said, 'It’s going to be OK, bubbeleh'


Sounds like De Niro is gonna get him whacked

E4Nigma
E4Nigma - 4/12/2020, 4:11 AM
@ClungesOfPrey -

Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 4/12/2020, 5:12 AM
@ClungesOfPrey - I hear you paint houses....
Origame
Origame - 4/12/2020, 11:20 AM
@ClungesOfPrey - oh come on. Clearly de Niro's going to cheat on his wife with Joaquin.
rebellion
rebellion - 4/12/2020, 4:09 AM
Cool film, but Joker in name only. I dont see why it is seen as this huge win for DC when it is so far removed from the mythology. Saying this as someone who generally reads and enjoys DC more.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 4/12/2020, 4:22 AM
@rebellion
Have you read 80 years of Joker stories, though?
I have.
And i can tell you, no one knows who the Joker is.
Which, i get it, sounds one hella convenient thing to to say, but it's the truth nonetheless.

Now i dunno if you've read Morrison's Bat-epic which is also arguably (?? the f*ck it's up for debate!) the BEST Batman run ever.
But there's this special issue, a prose issue, where Grant really delves into this Joker topic.
And in order to justify every single Joker story ever, with different versions of the Joker, he comes up with the idea/in-story explanation, that Joker reinvents himself over and over again.
Batman #663, It's called "Batman: The Clown at Midnight", i highly recommend it. :3

This is my favorite explanation ever, now i trust Geoff and i can't wait for his 3 Jokers, but...yeah, let's just say that not even in the comics you can ACTUALLY distill the real essence of the character.
Reckon that's how things should be if you are the agent of chaos.
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