From Ledger to Phoenix: The Untold Joker Casting Tale

Joaquin Phoenix revealed that Christopher Nolan once considered him for the role of Joker in 'The Dark Knight'. He declined, feeling unready at the time. Heath Ledger ultimately starred as Joker, winning a posthumous Oscar. Phoenix later won an Oscar for 'Joker', directed by Todd Phillips.

Joaquin Phoenix recently disclosed in a podcast interview with Rick Rubin that filmmaker Christopher Nolan had approached him to take on the role of the Joker in the 2008 blockbuster 'The Dark Knight'. At the time, Phoenix felt he was not prepared to portray the iconic Batman adversary.

The role eventually went to Heath Ledger, whose performance earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Reflecting on Ledger's portrayal, Phoenix expressed that he couldn't envision the film without Ledger's impactful performance.

While Phoenix missed out on Nolan's epic, he achieved critical acclaim in 2020 by winning a Best Actor Oscar for his rendition of the Joker in Todd Phillips' origin story. Phoenix has since reprised the character in the film's sequel, 'Joker: Folie a Deux'.

(With inputs from agencies.)