The ‘Heated Rivalry’ star reflects on his wild debut in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’

Joker: Folie à Deux was one of the biggest headaches of last year. Not only did it fail to replicate the Oscar-winning or box office success of the 2019 original, it also made the curious choice of being a semi-musical, something even the casting of Lady Gaga couldn’t do. However, for All the Ways Its Screenplay Smeared Its Subversive Main Characterthis granted Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck a favor: he killed himensuring that there would be no chance that a Joker 3.

And now we realize that the young actor cast as the Joker’s assassin might be the other positive takeaway from Joker: Folie à Deux. No one would recognize him at the time, but it’s Connor Storrieone of the stars of queer hockey drama Passionate rivalrywhich is currently streaming its first season on HBO Max.

A new interview with GQ starring Storrie and co-star Hudson Williams brings out this surprising Hollywood anecdote. Storrie thought it would be his big break when he was cast in the sequel Joker-especially when he arrived on set and was told that his role as an “unnamed Arkham inmate” included being the guy who murders the main character.

“Besides, at the end of the film, you’re going to stab [Joaquin] to death, and it’s going to be revealed that you’re, like, the Joker from the comics,” is how Storrie remembers director Todd Phillips breaking the news. It was an early lesson in keeping plot spoilers under wraps, and Storrie was so excited to see the film out in the world that he actually went to the Venice Film Festival to see the premiere.

It was of course a bombshell and it didn’t open any doors for Storrie at the time. But he will always remember being part of Joker: Folie à Deuxthe film that earned him his SAG card.

“I was so nervous,” he told GQ. “The way we rehearsed it, I was stabbing him, he was kind of pushing me away. The first time we were on camera, [Phoenix] looks at me and kind of gives me this look. It’s almost like his energy is telling me I haven’t done enough or something. So I go back and start stabbing him again. The director called cut. “Everyone’s like, Whoa, whoa, whoa, what’s happening. Todd says, Do you agree?»

Phillips also praised the young actor, telling GQ: “What stood out to me most was his nuanced physicality and wonderful intensity. We got to chat for a bit and I remember noticing how he seemed very committed to the craft, which seems obvious but isn’t always obvious with younger, ‘newer’ actors. I liked him right away.”

Passionate rivalry the audience clearly feels the same way, and you never know…Joker: Folie à Deuxor at least certain specific scenes from it, could thus experience a new spark of interest.

Want more io9 news? Find out when to expect the latest news Wonder, Star WarsAnd Star Trek exits, what is the next step for the DC Universe in cinema and televisionand everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.