Will 'Joker' ‘Inspire’ Violence? Joaquin Phoenix Walks Out!

Joaquin Phoenix left an interviewer stunned when he walked away from an interview after being asked a question he said he was not prepared for. Phoenix was asked whether he thinks the current movie he is part of, “Joker” will incite violence.

The actor’s interview with the Telegraph film critic Robbie Collin did not go well, to say the least. In the middle of a discussion about the movie, the actor felt compelled to leave. He was asked a polarizing question about whether “Joker” will actually be a catalyst for people to become violent and he did not like it.

Collin asked Phoenix if he is worried that the movie can “perversely end up inspiring exactly the kind of people it’s about, with potentially tragic results.” Instead of answering, however, Phoenix said, “Why would you…? No, no,” before walking out. it was apparent that the actor was upset about the question. If not that, he probably thought the question quite ignorant.

On his part though, when he returned to Collin, he explained that he panicked because he was not able to prepare for that question. Phoenix, however, did not answer the question up until the interview ended. Whether this was deliberate or not is unclear.

Phoenix is passionate about this role though, which is why he felt deeply for that question.

In another interview, the actor said that he faced considerable challenges to play the Clown Prince of Crime. At the very least, he found it difficult to lose a whopping 52 pounds. He revealed that he once wanted Joker to be overweight instead because that would’ve been easier.

“It just seemed like it would be easier. [laughs] The very first bit of research that I did was about medication and the side effects of medication and everybody on these boards was talking about these dramatic changes in their weight. Whether it be putting on weight or losing weight. There’s something so fucking tragic about taking a medication because you feel out of step with the world, and then you have these side effects that magnify that feeling. And so I just to Todd [Phillips] ‘I think we need to have something that is drastic to kind of show this, and it's based in reality and I think it's really worth exploring,” Phoenix shared.

Unfortunately, his vision did not align with Todd Philips', the director.

“But Todd was really smart, and he said, ‘No, I really think it’s the other way.’ And I knew it was going to be that way, but I just wanted to give it one little [shot],” he added.