It Was ‘Safe’ but ‘I Probably Shouldn’t Do This Again’ : Joaquin Phoenix Says ‘Joker’ Weight Loss Was a ‘Bit More Difficult’ for Sequel Because of Dance Component

Joaquin Phoenix spoke about revisiting his controversial “Joker” diet for the film’s sequel during a Venice Film Festival press conference on Wednesday, saying it was “a bit more difficult” because of “Folie à Deux’s” dance component.

Phoenix made headlines back in 2020 when he revealed he lost 52 pounds preparing for his role as Arthur Fleck in the first film. During “Joker’s” press tour, he said he ate mainly lettuce and steamed vegetables to achieve the villain’s gaunt appearance.

“I’m not going to talk through specifics of the diet, because I just think nobody wants to hear that, but this time it felt a bit more complicated just because there was so much dance rehearsal that we were doing, which I didn’t have last time,” Phoenix said. “So it felt a bit more difficult, but it is safe. But you’re right, I’m now 49, I probably shouldn’t do this again. This is probably it for me.”

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He then directed the question toward his co-star Lady Gaga, saying: “Stefani also lost a lot of weight. I remember when I first met you in rehearsals and then you went away and then when you came back, you lost a lot of weight. It was really impressive.”

But Gaga stayed mum on the subject. “I think we transformed into our characters over a period of time and we continued to hone in every kind of detail,” she said.

During the press conference, Phoenix was also questioned about dropping out of Todd Haynes‘ untitled gay romance film just five days before it was set to begin filming in Me -

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xico. “If I do, I’d just be sharing my opinion from my perspective and the other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, and so I don’t think that would be helpful.”

Phoenix had developed the screenplay for the movie with Haynes and Jon Raymond. A source close to production told Variety at the time that the actor got “cold feet” about the project.

“Folie à Deux” is the follow-up to Phillips’ 2019 film “Joker,” which also premiered at Venice and won the fest’s prestigious Golden Lion. It went on to become the sixth-highest grossing film of the year and won the Academy Awards for best actor for Phoenix’s performance and original score for Hildur Guðnadóttir. It received a total of 11 Oscar nominations, including for best picture, becoming the first DC Comics film to do so.

Taking place two years after the events of “Joker,” “Folie à Deux” adds star power with the addition of Lady Gaga to the cast and intrigue with a brand-new musical element. According to its official synopsis, Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck, “now a patient at Arkham State Hospital, falls in love with music therapist Lee (Gaga). As the duo experiences musical madness through their shared delusions, Arthur’s followers start a movement to liberate him.”

“Joker 2” also stars Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener and Zazie Beetz, and is set to premiere in theaters on Oct. 4 from Warner Bros.

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