It’s not some secret to say that actors and filmmakers (largely) don’t enjoy doing the endless amounts of press for a film, especially those hours-long junkets. This frustration has led to many awkward interviews, with the occasional instance of the subject walking out. And apparently, Joaquin Phoenix is the latest actor to walk out of an interview, as he was made uncomfortable (or upset) by a recent question about the upcoming film, “Joker.”
Speaking to the Telegraph, the actor was not happy with one of the questions that were lobbed at him. The question that was posed to Phoenix was, “Aren’t you worried that this film might perversely end up inspiring exactly the kind of people it’s about, with potentially tragic results?”
Obviously, that’s not a simple yes or no question and requires an incredible amount of patience, nuance, and thought to answer. Needless to say, this isn’t the type of question actors expect to hear when they’re doing publicity for a comic book film. And it apparently wasn’t a question that Phoenix is interested in answering.
The report describes the scene that followed:
‘Why?’ he eventually mutters, his lip curling up at one side. ‘Why would you…? No… no.’ Then he stands up, shuffles towards me, clasps my hands between his, and walks out of the door.
Phoenix has never been mistaken for a guy that does your typical interview. He’s a very talented man, but as we’ve seen in interviews in the past, he’s not the most vocal guy and definitely someone that prefers to have his work speak for itself. And clearly, instead of entering what seems to be a bit of a minefield by answering a question such as that (a valid question, nonetheless), Phoenix would rather abstain.
And unlike other instances where celebrities have walked out of interviews, there’s nothing outrageous about the question that was posed. After the Venice premiere of “Joker,” talk immediately began about the film’s plot, with many critics, such as our own, who commend the film as a work of art, but question the effect it might have on people looking for justification for some horrible atrocity.
In “Joker,” Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill man that through a series of tragic circumstances, finds his illness taking over, leading to incredibly violent and psychopathic situations. There are folks that say the film is a cautionary tale that shines a light on a segment of the population that could do horrible acts, while others say that people will misinterpret the film as a story that glorifies the villain and makes him a bit of a folk hero. And judging by the actions depicted in the film, Phoenix’s Joker is not someone that should be used as an inspirational figure, at all.
Clearly, the debate over “Joker” is only going to amp up in the weeks to come, as the film opens on October 4 and those that weren’t able to see the film at the recent festivals will get the chance to view it for themselves. Warner Bros. is expected to have a massive hit on its hands with the film, as “Joker” could easily open to upwards of $80 million at the box office during its debut weekend. So, it’ll be quickly apparent how the general audiences view the villain at the film’s center, after only a few days.