Joaquin Phoenix Tired of Going on Extreme Diets? Losing Weight for a Role

Playing and getting into character in a movie is not an easy job, especially when you have to go through an extreme physical transformation. Joaquin Phoenix went on a strict diet again to play Arthur Fleck in the movie Joker 2 or officially titled Joker: Folie à Deux. Previously, Joaquin Phoenix had to lose 52 lbs for his role as Joker in the 2019 film. 

He now has to lose weight drastically again for the sequel. Quoting from Variety on Friday (6/9/2024), Joaquin Phoenix shared a story about the impact of the diet on him. He seemed to be discouraged from losing weight that drastically, especially since age was also a factor. 

" I'm not going to go into detail about the diet, because I don't think anyone wants to hear that. But it was a little bit more complicated this time, because there was a lot of dance training that we had to do, which wasn't in the previous movie ," said Joaquin Phoenix. 

" So, it's a little bit harder, but it's still safe. But, you're right, I'm 49 now, maybe I shouldn't do something like this anymore. Maybe this is my last one ," he continued. Joker: Folie à Deux is a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Joker, which grossed over $1 billion at the box office. The sequel stars Joaquin Phoenix opposite Lady Gaga. The title Folie à Deux itself literally means madness experienced by two people. 

In the medical world, this term describes a condition in which two individuals share the same delusion, and most likely, this title is very relevant to the theme of the story and its characters. Arthur Fleck aka Joker, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is back in Arkham Asylum, where he was held after a series of murders he committed and was finally caught as seen in  the ending of the film Joker (2019). 

In Arkham, he meets Harley Quinn who seems to be fascinated by the Joker and realizes who he is and what he stands for. Their relationship is said to be one of the main highlights of this sequel. Curious about the full story? Please be patient, Joker: Folie à Deux is ready to hit theaters this coming October 2024.