Collaborating with legendary actors can be intense, especially when their fiercely independent artistic mindsets collide behind the scenes. During the making of ‘Joker‘ (2019), a heated discussion took place between the movie’s protagonist, Joaquin Phoenix, and the legendary Robert De Niro.
It happened before filming began, when Phoenix didn’t initially embrace De Niro’s creative approach. The difference in opinion became so significant that it took director Todd Phillips by surprise. The duo’s unwillingness to compromise created a tense atmosphere during the film’s preproduction. Let’s explore what went down behind the scenes.
The Unexpected Rift Between Robert De Niro And Joaquin Phoenix
During the pre-production of ‘Joker,’ Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro found themselves in a disagreement regarding one of the essential aspects of the filmmaking process. De Niro thought it was essential to hold a script reading where the cast could discuss their characters and the plot.
As an experienced artist who always prepared thoroughly for each role, the veteran star insisted everyone attend the reading. However, Phoenix had a different opinion on the matter and saw no need to attend the table reading. So, he refused to participate at first.
According to Phillips, the disagreement between the pair caused quite a stir among the cast and crew members. The director tried to find a way that would allow both artists to continue shooting without further arguments, but to no avail.
The problem worsened after De Niro threatened to tell Phoenix directly that participation in the script reading was necessary. Phillips recalled De Niro saying, “He’s [Phoenix] an actor. He’s coming.” But Phoenix remained firm on his stance, making the situation even trickier.
Phillips agreed to proceed with the table read, but he was worried that the dispute could affect Phoenix’s commitment to the project. Fortunately, things didn’t get out of hand, as Phoenix soon changed his opinion and joined others for script reading.
When Two Acting Styles Collided
There are several reasons why De Niro and Phoenix could not immediately agree regarding the script reading. It’s because their approaches to filming differed significantly. While De Niro is known for meticulously preparing before filming, Phoenix prefers to improvise and develop his performance gradually.
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For instance, De Niro usually participated in rehearsals to better understand his character. On the contrary, Phoenix preferred thinking about his character in solitude. Thus, De Niro wanted everyone to participate in the reading, whereas the latter saw no need for it.
Despite this initial clash of methods, the two actors bridged the gap before it turned into a permanent rift. According to Phillips, De Niro reassured his co-star, affectionately calling him “bubbeleh” before convincing him to take part in the reading.
The incident ultimately highlighted the contrast between their working styles rather than any genuine animosity, offering a glimpse into the creative challenges that can arise when two highly committed actors collaborate on the same project.
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