Joaquin Phoenix was meant to play Joker. If winning the Academy Award for Best Actor that year wouldn’t settle it, we don’t know what would have. Director Todd Philips was spot-on to cast the Her star in the titular role. But credit must be given to Phoenix. The actor deserves accolades not only for his performance but also for entering the superhero genre at the right time, letting aside the chance to star in two Marvel bangers.
Not just another Joker
Joaquin Phoenix took to the role of Arthur Fleck like a duck to the water. Every emotion, every mood swing, the internal conflict – he portrayed all of it to perfection. If there was anyone who could inch close to Heath Ledger’s Joker, it was this (no offense Jared).
What a turnaround in fortunes it was for a man who had always been averse to the idea of starring in a superhero movie. An Oscar for Best Actor and a nomination for Best Film – there could have been no better initiation for him.
Joaquin Phoenix might have been on the other side of the comic book rivalry
Things could have been very different though. Imagine a reality where Joaquin Phoenix wouldn’t have been cast in the 2019 flick. Would any other star have been able to do justice to the role? It’s a big ‘if’. And that could have been a very real possibility. But that wouldn’t have been the case because Todd Phillips had his eyes set on other targets.
It was Joaquin Phoenix himself who could have ended his DC career before it even began. The Gladiator star was offered the chance to feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, twice.
Joaquin Phoenix did not find his (potential) role in the MCU really fulfilling
It is no secret that the helmers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were fixated on bringing Joaquin Phoenix into their fold. But he has eluded them. They had their first shot in 2010 when they were looking for someone to take up the mantle of Hulk. The 49-year-old was an ideal choice. But it was not to be.
Yet Marvel wasn’t done. They tried to bring him to the roster for playing Doctor Strange. The offer might have been different, but it didn’t change their fortunes. The Napolean star was not to be lured in. He once said, (via Time Out London)
“I’ve flirted with several of those films, having meetings and getting close, but ultimately it never felt like they’d really be fulfilling.”
In the end, he did find something fulfilling. And he didn’t let the chance slide.
