Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best actors in Hollywood and is highly known for his dedication to his art. With a career spanning over decades, the actor has earned a reputation for being one of the most versatile and talented actors of his generation. One of his most intriguing work also includes his portrayal of the DC villain and the clown prince of Gotham in the 2019 DC film Joker. The movie has been one of the most successful DC films, and Phoenix is set to reprise his role in the film’s sequel.
However, as he accepted the award for the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture for his 2019 feature, the actor shared why he is so infuriated by the Batman actor Christian Bale’s work.
Joaquin Phoenix Despises Christian Bale’s Expertise
Christian Bale starred in Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight trilogy, which has been among the most successful DC projects so far. The actor and the filmmaker have been highly praised for their work and have also received several accolades for the trilogy.
However, it seemed for a moment that the on-screen rivalry of the DC character followed the actors in real life, as the Joker star said that he was infuriated by Bale’s work. Joaquin Phoenix won several awards for his work in the 2019 DC film Joker, including an Academy Award for Best Actor.
He was also awarded the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture at the 26th Annual SAG Awards. During his acceptance speech, the Her star opened up about being rejected at several auditions. He shared that the name he was often told after losing a part was Leonardo DiCaprio.
However, the actor went on to add that it only inspired him to do even better. He then moved on to Christian Bale and said, “You commit to your roles in ways that I can only dream of.” He further stated that he never turns in a bad performance before adding, “It’s infuriating.” He then pleaded with The Machinist star to give at least one bad performance.
Joaquin Phoenix Honored Heath Ledger at SAG Awards
Before Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for portraying the crime prince of Gotham, his friend, and the late actor Heath Ledger brought the DC villain to life on screen. And his performance in The Dark Knight has been deemed the best portrayal of the character so far.
He was also awarded a posthumous Oscar for his work in The Dark Knight after he passed away in 2008. His friend Joaquin Phoenix got the opportunity to portray the character later in the 2019 crime drama. And while receiving his award at the 26th Annual SAG Awards, he honored the late actor.
“I’m standing here on the shoulders of my favorite actor, Heath Ledger,” he said during the acceptance speech at the award ceremony. Phoenix and Ledger are known for being good friends, and the two were also spotted having a good time at the 78th Annual Academy Awards.
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Source: TNT