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.