Method actor Joaquin Phoenix is among the most critically acclaimed actors in Hollywood. Phoenix has acted in different roles, often portraying characters with emotional complexity. The 48-year-old is notorious for pushing himself to extreme lengths to get into character. However, his Oscar-winning performance in Joker (2019) was probably out of this world. To get into the mindset of an insane supervillain, Phoenix pushed himself to physical and mental extremes.

The Academy Award winner’s Joker co-star appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience. During his conversation with the UFC commentator, Bryan Callen gave some insights about working with Phoenix in the 2019 film. Callen described how Phoenix acted on set and his extreme diet. Although the 48-year-old had to fill the shoes of Heath Ledger’s previous performance as the evil clown, Callen revealed he was confident Phoenix would rise to the occasion.

Joaquin Phoenix went through a grueling weight-loss transformation

While talking about his experience working on the set of Joker, Callen recalled an early meeting with the actor. During a chat with Todd Phillips, the director of the film, remarked that the Joker should be a little skinny. Bryan Callen said the Gladiator actor “was walking around… he was 180 pounds.” However, no one involved was ready for the transformation Phoenix would make.

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“Joaquin, I think, showed up at 124 pounds,” the actor told Joe Rogan. Since the 48-year-old had lost nearly 50 pounds, the director became concerned. “Let’s give you a nutritionist and everything else,” suggested the filmmaker. However, Phoenix casually declined the offer and said he would be fine. Callen then revealed what Phoenix would have during filming.

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He just ate an apple and smoked cigarettes,” Callen said during the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Phoenix’s co-star was in awe of the actor’s dedication and discipline. However, Phoenix didn’t just push himself to physical extremes, he also began improvising during scenes in an attempt to capture the Joker’s slow descent into madness. As Callen observed the You Were Never Really Here actor, he knew Phoenix would fill Heath Ledger’s shoes and win an Oscar for portraying the Joker.

The scenes that convinced Bryan Callen that Phoenix would win an Oscar

The comedian also recalled some of the scenes where Joaquin Phoenix surprised everyone on set with his impromptu improvisations. “Remember when he punches the clock?” Callen asked Rogan. “That’s not in the script,” said the actor. In fact, after they filmed the scene, Todd Phillips went to check on his lead actor because he thought the Oscar winner had broken his hand.

Phoenix was fine, but his improvisation made the scene more intense, and Phillips kept it in the final cut. Another scene Callen highlighted was the famous bus scene, where the Joker cries. Callen said they were filming that scene when he arrived on set. “I swear to God, I saw him walking, and I knew he was going to win an Oscar,” he told Rogan.

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What did you think about Joaquin Phoenix’s extreme transformation into the character of Joker? Whose portrayal of the villain did you like more, Ledger’s or Phoenix’s? Tell us in the comments.