Joaquin Phoenix Opens Up On Doctor Strange And Marvel

Joaquin Phoenix has spoken for the first time on his dealings with Marvel Studios over ‘Doctor Strange’ - though, perhaps unsurprisingly, he doesn’t give much away.

Marvel are infamous for their iron-clad non-disclosure agreements, and it seems this extends even to those who only go so far as to enter negotiations with them, as when quizzed on his almost-casting in the future Marvel movie by Playboy, the first words out of Phoenix’s mouth were “I can’t talk about it.”

Nonetheless, Phoenix went on to speak a little about parts he came close to taking on - and, while he doesn’t get into specifics, he does seem to allude to other possible superhero movie roles.

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The 40-year old actor says “I’ve met on all sorts of movies throughout the years. What seems appealing about some of them is the idea of pushing myself in a way that’s out of my comfort zone.

"But really, it’s what I’m always looking for—good characters, big ideas and a passionate filmmaker. If those things line up with any kind of movie, I have interest in it."

Asked about his own interest in comics, Phoenix says, “There’s some great Batman stuff and classic Frank Miller Dark Knight stuff and Arkham Asylum. But I was always a big Wolverine guy. I love Wolverine—big f***ing great dramatic character. They’re all conflicted, and they’re really interesting.”

However, when asked whether he regretted turning down any role (the interviewer went on to specify ‘maybe even a Marvel movie’), Phoenix made a remark sure to spark widespread speculation:

"There’s only one movie I regret saying no to—except the person who ended up doing it was so good and was absolutely meant to do it, so I don’t have any regrets. I’m not going to say which one, but it was a really big hit.

"It’s getting to the point where they’re making some pretty decent movies. I thought Iron Man was fantastic.”

It’s fair to assume Phoenix isn’t suggesting he was up for ‘Iron Man’ itself - however, my gut feeling is that he could be referring to the role of Bruce Banner/the Hulk in ‘Avengers Assemble,’ to which he was linked before Mark Ruffalo was cast.

On the other side of the superhero fence, Phoenix was also linked to the role of Lex Luthor in ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’ prior to the casting of Jesse Eisenberg.

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Picture Credit: WENN, Marvel