Joaquin Phoenix Says His Dreams Were Different While Filming 'Joker'

Joaquin Phoenix is on the cover of W Magazine‘s Volume 1. Best Performances issue, out on newsstands on February 4.

Here’s what the Joker star had to say…

On whether he’s had dance training: “Yes. And I worked with a choreographer for Joker. Normally, I don’t like talking about character with anyone other than the director, but the choreographer gave me a vocabulary that informed the role. I wanted to go from joy and euphoria to something painful. Dance gave me that language. And hunger.”

On whether he had trouble shaking off the character: “Well, I was living like a hermit because I was on an extreme diet. You can’t really socialize when you’re not eating or drinking.”

On whether his dreams were different: “Yes. I was always dreaming about food. I’d dream that I ate a huge meal. And I’d wake up feeling so guilty.”

For more from Joaquin, head to WMagazine.com.