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!
About The Author:
Comic Book Reader. Film Lover. WWE and F1 Fan. Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and ComicBookMovie.com's #1 contributor.