If you’ll remember back when Doctor Strange was still courting actors to play the Sorcerer Supreme, Joaquin Phoenix was initially a solid choice for the role. He had talks and apparently Marvel was interested in choosing him for the role, until he backed away and they returned to the drawing board. It might be safe to blame the creative committee for such things now that the movie side has had its shakeup, but Phoenix likely blames himself. He’s apparently always had an aversion to big blockbuster roles in the past, explaining why in a recent interview Time Out London.
He doesn’t mention Doctor Strange himself, but the interview uses his rumored involvement as a jumping off point and even asks if he would be interested in play some sort of role in Star Wars (everybody else seems to be doing it):
‘Sure. When I was younger I was probably a bit of a snob about that. But they’ve gotten better. I’ve flirted with several of those films, having meetings and getting close, but ultimately it never felt like they’d really be fulfilling. There were too many requirements that went against my instincts for character. I’ve been spoiled. I’ve never had to make those compromises. I’ve not met a director yet with one of those films where we go through the script, they say: “You know what, f*ck this set-piece, let’s focus on the character!” I understand, but it’s best I don’t do it.’
And the guy is just like any other Joe who fakes a mental breakdown for a fake documentary and stars in great films despite not getting the awards claim he might deserve (which is bull anyway). He loves the movies that the mainstream audience loves, but he just apparently can’t seem himself starring in one. He does heap a lot of praise on Chris Pine, though:
Did you see the rebooted “Star Trek”? That kid Chris Pine who plays Kirk is f*cking genius. I just don’t know if I want to have the experience of being in them. I’ve read some of those scripts and 75 percent is a description of some asteroid going through space.’
How can you not at least enjoy this guy on some level? Give him a Golden Globe so he has somewhere to put his cigarettes out at least. He deserves it for putting up with creepy Woody Allen in his last film, and for being a complete fake on late night interviews. He was entertaining in the times before celebrity game adventures took over.
(Via Time Out / Slash Film )
