Joaquin Phoenix Struggled With Joker 2’s Musical Numbers

In 2006, Joaquin Phoenix was nominated for Best Actor for playing Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, a role that required him to sing Cash’s legendary songs. Phoenix didn’t win the Oscar until 2020 when he was named Best Actor for playing Arthur Fleck in Joker. However, Phoenix’s previous music experience didn’t make things any easier for him when filming Joker: Folie à Deux. According to director Todd Phillips, the pressure of shooting the sequel’s elaborate musical numbers made Phoenix feel physically ill.

While speaking with EW, Phillips said that Phoenix “was sick every day” over nerves because the movie required him to sing and dance on set alongside his new co-star, Lady Gaga. Phillips also credited Gaga–who plays Harley Quinn in the film–with giving Phoenix advice that helped him up his game for those scenes. Conversely, Phoenix was able to give Gaga suggestions that helped her performance as well.

“The truth is, they gave each other pointers,” recalls Phillips. “He’d give her pointers about acting; she’s been in movies, but he’s Joaquin Phoenix. She gave him tips about music because she’s Lady Gaga. It’s what movies should be: a giant collaboration.”

Phillips also elaborated on his reluctance to call Joker: Folie à Deux a musical.

“I got a little heat for saying it’s not really a musical,” said Phillips. “I wasn’t saying that because I’m afraid of the term, ‘musical.’ I love musicals, and the movie definitely has music in it. It might even be a musical. To clarify, most of the times I’ve ever seen a musical, I walk out feeling better than I did when I walked in. On this movie, I’m not sure it’s the same thing. I wouldn’t want to be misleading and say you’re going to be whistling the songs from this movie on the way to your car after you see it.”

Earlier this week, Gaga revealed that she recorded a concept album as a companion for Joker: Folie à Deux, which will be released on Friday, September 27. The film will be released a week later on Friday, October 4.