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‘Joker’ crew member shares fun behind-the-scenes info in impromptu Reddit AMA

Published Oct 9th, 2019 10:05PM EDT
Joker Movie Anecdotes
Image: WarnerMedia

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Joker

, out in cinemas, is a divisive sensation you shouldn’t miss out on, especially if you’re into comic book films. But unlike other titles from the DC or Marvel universes, Joker also appeals to people who really don’t care about superheroes. Without spoiling any of it, the film offers a great look at one of fiction’s best-known villains. But it’s also a great story that doesn’t need a DCEU link, and that’s why the film doesn’t feature post-credits scenes.

And while Joker is a dark psychological thriller, not all Joker-related stories have to be as gloomy. Take, for example, the case of a real-life lighting technician from the movie who had to work with a full costume and wig for eight days and ended up being “right outside of frame in the final cut.” Mind you, very tiny spoilers might follow below, but they’re hard to detect out of context, so they shouldn’t ruin your own Joker viewing experience.

Redditor SilverbackBRC shared his story on Reddit so people could enjoy his ‘70s look that didn’t make it in the movie.

The crew member had to work in a full 1970s costume in some of the scenes of the movie in order to effectively blend in. Seeing a crew member in modern 2019 clothes would have been an embarrassing error, one that people would have eventually noticed. Those scenes involved a TV show, hence the need for a lighting technician, and those of you who have seen the film already know what scenes he may have appeared in.

The Reddit post turned quickly into an impromptu Ask Me Anything (AMA), with the Redditor happily answering other people’s questions. Unsurprisingly, he had a couple of silly anecdotes from the film, like the fact that Joaquin Phoenix gave everyone on the crew a special gift:

Joaquin also gave everyone on the crew a copy of his joke book from the movie that he signed “To: (Crew member) From Joaquin.” It was just like the one from the movie, but it was just talking shit about how the movie was gonna suck, and it was all of our faults. It was clearly a joke and the best wrap gift I’ve ever gotten in my career. I’ll post some highlights soon

More hilariously, Silverback said that Phoenix, who played Arthur Fleck/Joker in the movie, improvised a lot for the scene where he was working in full costume. And there were so many takes that the Redditor learned every line from that scene by heart:

Joaquin never entered this set the same way, and it was extremely hard to anticipate where to land the spotlight. He climbed through the fake windows behind De Niro once, and not a single camera was pointed there. I could recite every line in the movie from the Murray Franklin set when I saw the movie because we shot it all so much. “YOU GET WHAT YOU F**KING DESERVE” Haha

The full Reddit thread follows below, complete with a photo from the set:

I was a lighting technician on Joker. Had to put on a wig and full costume for 8 days and then ended up being right outside of frame in the final cut, haha. Just wanted someone to enjoy my 70’s look from pics

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.