Robert De Niro Couldn't Remember His Lines While Shooting 'Joker'

By Andrew Sanford | Celebrity | September 20, 2024 |

By Andrew Sanford | Celebrity | September 20, 2024 |

An actor’s currency is often their reputation, and a lot goes into that! It can determine whether they’re pleasant to work with. When casting a movie, you choose people you’d be okay spending several months with. So, it’s crucial to know whether you’re about to work with an a**hole (though many still get through). Reputation can also include box office success, work ethic, and the ability to handle press junkets for hours. It encompasses many things but can sometimes be distilled down to just a name.

Many actors have become “names.” They’re so popular that just mentioning them brings instant recognition. Securing such an actor can often greenlight a film, even if it comes with some of the aforementioned drawbacks. In the best-case scenario, their name and reputation not only elevate the film but also enhance the performances of those around them, taking the production to the next level. Robert De Niro is a name with that kind of impact.

You know Robert De Niro. His reputation precedes him. He’s starred in some of the greatest mafia movies ever made, making him synonymous with the genre. His outspoken political views have made him a target of former President Donald Trump and his followers. The man is well-known. So, when Todd Phillips wanted to loosely adapt a DC Comics character via Martin Scorsese homages (Joker), he enlisted De Niro. This, in turn, helped land Marc Maron.

Maron is a successful comedian who has made a strong transition to acting over the last decade. As this shift happened, Maron once used his show to criticize comic book movies. It seemed like a random frustration until it was revealed that Maron had been cast in the same Scorsese-inspired Joker film that De Niro had. Yes, Maron complained about these films but made it clear that the chance to work with De Niro convinced him to sign on. Now, we get some insight into what that experience was like for Maron.

For Maron, working with De Niro was enlightening. “I did that one scene with De Niro in Joker, and I was literally watching him, because I was on set all week, and he’s playing that talk show host,” Maron explained on his show, WTF, to guest Jason Ritter. “He doesn’t know his lines, and they’re doing it over and over again. It was totally demystifying De Niro to me because I’ve watched him my whole life.” Seeing a legendary actor like De Niro being a bit vulnerable must have been jarring.

Still, Maron makes it clear that the Godfather actor delivered. “Obviously, he’s a great actor, but people who live their lives on camera and have been doing it that long understand something. Because I’m watching and I’m like, ‘This is a disaster. How are they going to cut this together?’ But he knew it would all cut together right,” Maron said. “He’s been on set so many times where he’s just going to do it and do it and do it, and they’ll find one.”

This story will likely add to De Niro’s reputation and become part of the myth surrounding him. If a production needs a little prestige to get their movie off the ground, they’ll know who to call.