Did You Know These 10 Things About ‘Joker’?
When ‘Joker’ premiered in 2019, it reimagined the infamous Batman villain in a dark, grounded origin story. Directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, the film followed Arthur Fleck, a struggling clown and aspiring comedian, as his descent into isolation and despair transformed him into the Joker. With its gritty realism and psychological focus, the movie stood apart from typical comic book films.
The film became a global phenomenon, earning over a billion dollars at the box office and winning multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor for Phoenix. Its unsettling story and haunting performance turned it into one of the most talked-about films of the decade. Here are ten things you might not know about ‘Joker’.
Joaquin Phoenix Lost Over 50 Pounds for the Role
To portray Arthur Fleck’s frail body, Phoenix underwent an extreme weight loss, dropping more than 50 pounds before filming began.
The transformation added to the unsettling physicality of his performance, emphasizing Arthur’s vulnerability and fragility.
The Film Was Not Part of the DC Extended Universe
Unlike other DC movies, ‘Joker’ existed as a standalone film, separate from the DCEU. It had no direct ties to characters like Superman, Wonder Woman, or Batman from other franchises.
This allowed Todd Phillips to explore a darker, more personal story without worrying about continuity.
The Joker’s Laugh Was Painfully Researched
Phoenix developed Joker’s unsettling laugh after studying real-life conditions where people suffer from uncontrollable laughter, known as pathological laughter.
This gave Arthur’s laugh a disturbing, involuntary quality that set it apart from past versions of the character.
The Film Drew Inspiration from Martin Scorsese
Phillips cited Martin Scorsese’s films ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘The King of Comedy’ as major influences. Both movies starred Robert De Niro, who also appeared in ‘Joker’ as talk show host Murray Franklin.
The homage to Scorsese’s gritty urban dramas gave the movie its 1970s–1980s aesthetic.
Robert De Niro’s Role Was a Reverse Homage
De Niro’s casting as Murray Franklin flipped his role in ‘The King of Comedy,’ where he played a delusional aspiring comedian. In ‘Joker,’ he played the talk show host targeted by an unstable comic.
This casting choice created a meta-layer of meaning for film fans familiar with De Niro’s earlier work.
The Iconic Stairs Scene Became a Tourist Attraction
The sequence where Arthur dances on a set of Bronx stairs became one of the film’s most iconic moments.
Those stairs quickly turned into a tourist destination, with fans recreating the Joker’s dance in real life.
The Budget Was Relatively Low
Despite becoming a billion-dollar hit, ‘Joker’ was made for about \$55 million, much smaller than most superhero movies.
Its modest budget allowed for more creative freedom, proving that smaller-scale comic book films could still dominate the box office.
Phoenix Improvised Some Scenes
Several of Phoenix’s most memorable moments, including Arthur’s bathroom dance after a murder, were improvised.
His unpredictable choices added to the character’s unsettling presence, keeping even the crew unsure of what he might do next.
It Won Two Academy Awards
‘Joker’ won Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score for Hildur Guðnadóttir. The haunting cello-driven score became one of the most memorable aspects of the film.
These wins made ‘Joker’ one of the most critically acclaimed comic book adaptations ever.
A Sequel Was Greenlit After Its Success
Due to its massive popularity, Warner Bros. approved a sequel titled ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ set to star Phoenix alongside Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
The sequel is expected to expand Arthur’s story in unexpected ways, blending music and psychological drama.
What fact about ‘Joker’ did you find the most surprising? Share your thoughts in the comments!