Joaquin Phoenix Doesn’t Regret Not Joining The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Joaquin Phoenix Doesn’t Regret Not Joining The Marvel Cinematic Universe

It seems everyone is hoping to join a superhero universe like the MCU, one person who was offered and turned down the opportunity is acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix and he has no regrets…

By FromACertainPOV - Mar 08, 2018 12:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Marvel Studios
Source: Little White Lies

Joaquin Phoenix is not the kind of actor you would necessarily expect to see in a comic book movie, nevertheless the Inherent Vice actor has come very close - more than once. He was allegedly Marvel's first choice to replace Edward Norton as The Incredible Hulk, following that actor's falling out with the studio and he was also in the running to portray sorcerer supreme Dr Strange, in the film of the same name.

He turned down both, citing not wanting to commit to multiple sequels or crossovers and we got Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Cumberbatch, respectively.

In a new interview with Little White Lies, Phoenix reflected on coming close to the MCU and while he admits to liking their films, he seems pretty content with the way things turned out:

I think they make some great, fun movies. There's nothing wrong...I'm not a [frick]ing, like cinephile. I'm not a snob and I'm totally fine with ... I enjoy those movies sometimes and I think they keep the [frick]ing industry going in some ways, so I don't have a problem with it at all. I think that everybody was, is.. I'm trying to figure out how to say this most diplomatically, okay... I think everyone was really happy with how things turned out. All parties were satisfied.


It's hardly a surprise, given the kinds of films that Phoenix tends to gravitate towards. This does however, throw into question those reports that he will be The Joker in Todd Phillips' upcoming standalone origin film. Though I suppose, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that working with Phillips and producer Martin Scorsese nullified any trepidation or disinterest in a superhero franchise - and with it being separate from the DCEU, there's less of a commitment.

What do you think? Would you have liked to have seen Phoenix as either Strange or Banner? Are you hoping he does star as The Joker? And what other role do you think he would be good for? Leave your thoughts below.
 

 

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DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 3/8/2018, 1:05 AM
Sounds like a backhanded compliment, to be frank, but the guy can afford it.

He's a damn great actor.
Fogs
Fogs - 3/8/2018, 4:45 AM
@OedipusGrex - I think he was pretty classy, it's implied he could have more harsh thoughts about it but he prefer not to say those.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 3/8/2018, 5:07 AM
@Fogs -

That's kind of what I'm getting at. When harsh thoughts are not specifically told but instead clearly implied, I think he's anything but classy.
Fogs
Fogs - 3/8/2018, 5:48 AM
@OedipusGrex - nah... I feel it's positive to say these films help the industry in a way, for example. He obviously believes (as I do, even being a fan) their success drives the whole and diminishes other types of films, which become niche stuff.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 3/8/2018, 6:25 AM
@Fogs -

Totally agreed.
TheRealTomServo
TheRealTomServo - 3/8/2018, 9:30 AM
@Fogs - pretty much.
Kyos
Kyos - 3/8/2018, 1:09 AM
As much as I would like to see certain big name actors join ongoing franchises I like (yeah, okay, the MCU) it's pretty obvious that some just don't want to dedicate themselves to starring in a potentially long running series of movies. Which is perfectly fine, and it's good if everyone ends up being on the same page about it.

Also there are still always one-off villain roles to waste them on. :P
Fishandchips
Fishandchips - 3/8/2018, 1:12 AM
Man, I like Joaquin, he has the chops and charisma, it's a shame that Marvel didn't manage to nab him, but hey ho, hopefully he'll smash it outta the park if he does take on The Joker!

Also, @FromACertainPOV 'Are you hoping he does star as The Joke?' Just FYI :)
Erik10101
Erik10101 - 3/8/2018, 1:14 AM
Benedict Cumberbatch was an excellent casting. Hard to see anybody else in the role now, in my opinion.

Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/8/2018, 2:21 AM
@Erik10101 - I've warmed to him a lot, but I still do wonder what could have been...

Forthas
Forthas - 3/8/2018, 2:02 AM
He is an arthouse actor. He should stay away from CBM's
Kurne
Kurne - 3/8/2018, 2:07 AM
Good to hear that from Phoenix.

Still tho, [frick]ing PG movies. [Frick]ing imaginary and shit. Not [frick]ing real [frick]ing movies. [Frick].
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 3/8/2018, 3:53 AM
@Kurne -

Jeez, did you discover cursing yesterday?
FromACertainPOV
FromACertainPOV - 3/8/2018, 4:08 AM
@Kurne - Are you James Mangold?
Kurne
Kurne - 3/8/2018, 4:48 AM
@OedipusGrex @FromACertainPOV - Yes I just discovered cursing yesterday, because also yes, I am James Mangold.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 3/8/2018, 5:04 AM
@Kurne -

Oh, hi, Mr. Mangold! Would you mind getting that stick off your ass? Thanks.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/8/2018, 2:11 AM
I think the number one quality of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is fun. It's all about figuring out some way to make a movie more fun (in the broadest possible sense). It's about having a good time and investing people in the long-term arcs of these movies.

Some people don't put "fun" near the top of their priority lists. And that's okay. When I see Fassbender dancing with McAvoy and Jackman like he's the best man at a Mormon wedding, I get that it's a forced display to convey a (false) message that Fassbender is a fun guy. But he's clearly a very serious dude who takes his craft seriously, even when that craft is being used to make something silly.

And the Marvel/Feige approach is completely inappropriate for a vast set of genres of film. That's one of the reasons the MCU-esque Dark Universe nonsense was doomed. The line between fun and schlock is way too fine when it comes to anything near horror.

Obviously fun spontaneous people can potentially be serious when they want to, but serious people can't really be fun and spontaneous. It just doesn't really work that well.

So... he's right. It worked out for the best. And I think it's great that Feige seems to have developed his casting radar to the point where we won't have another Norton situation. And also that Marvel's brand has been so established now that actors know what they're signing up for. That's good for everyone.
Chaos200
Chaos200 - 3/8/2018, 2:09 PM
@Spock0Clock - You know "fun" is subjective right? A lot of people's idea of a fun movie could be The Dark Knight or Logan or Scarface or the Godfather. Chess is fun and so is Call of Duty (apparently) Zelda is fun and so is Tekken.

My point is my idea of fun is believable coherent stories with stakes and depth. Black Panther and Winter Soldier to me was fun, Civil War very fun. Ragnarok and Guardians 2 not so much fun.
DTor91
DTor91 - 3/8/2018, 3:49 AM
No matter how great an actor is or how bad we want certain ones in these films, it’s simply not for everybody.

And it’s best when an actor realizes that rather than join on for the sake of a great payday.
SageMode
SageMode - 3/8/2018, 3:49 AM
He never really seemed like the type to be involved in blockbuster-esque films anyhow.
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