Joaquin Phoenix has shed some pounds for his latest film role, and it might be the last time he goes through such a transformation.

At a press event on Wednesday during the Venice Film Festival, the 49-year-old Oscar-winning star shared that losing weight for “Joker: Folie à Deux” proved tougher than for the 2019 original due to the added demands of the film’s musical components.

“This time around felt more complicated because of all the dance rehearsals we were doing, which I didn’t have to deal with in the first film,” Phoenix explained. “It definitely made things a bit more challenging.”

When a reporter suggested that there might come a time when he could no longer handle such intense physical transformations, he acknowledged, “You’re right. I’m 49. I probably shouldn’t go through with this again. This is likely it for me.”

Nonetheless, Phoenix emphasized that his weight loss wasn’t particularly hazardous, noting that he was under medical supervision, although he refrained from discussing specifics about his diet for the film. “Nobody really wants to hear about that,” he remarked.

When pressed about the amount of weight he lost, Phoenix hesitated to provide a figure, stating he couldn’t recall the exact number. He also expressed his frustration over the excessive focus on his physical changes for the first film.

“By the end of that process, I was so tired of myself and angry for making a big deal out of it,” Phoenix shared, explaining his resolve to avoid similar attention this time. He jokingly added, “It was 47 pounds,” then quickly corrected himself, “No, I’m just kidding.”

Phoenix had previously lost 52 pounds to portray Arthur Fleck in the original “Joker,” where his character appeared gaunt and malnourished. Director Todd Phillips had expressed a desire for the Joker to come across as “thin and hungry.” For that film, Phoenix collaborated with a nutritionist, consuming largely apples, lettuce, and steamed green beans.

“It’s a terrible, grueling diet, but you still get all your vitamins and minerals, so it’s somewhat safe,” he described. “It’s quite grotesque.”

At the 2019 Venice Film Festival, Phoenix remarked that such drastic weight loss had mental effects on him, stating, “You genuinely start to go a bit mad when you lose this much weight in such a short time.”

Other actors known for their dramatic weight changes include Christian Bale, who lost 70 pounds between the films “Vice” and “Ford v Ferrari.” Bale mentioned in 2019 on “CBS Sunday Morning,” “I keep insisting I’m done with this. I genuinely believe I’ve reached the end of that road.”

Joaquin Phoenix Refuses to Discuss Sudden Exit from Gay Romance Film

During the Venice press conference, Phoenix faced questions about another topic: his abrupt departure from a gay romance film directed by Todd Haynes. Reports from Variety indicate he withdrew from the project just days before filming was scheduled to begin.

Despite receiving backlash for this last-minute decision, Phoenix opted not to clarify the situation.

“If I explain, I’d just be sharing my viewpoint without the other creators being present to state theirs, and that doesn’t seem fair,” Phoenix stated. “I’m unsure how that would be beneficial.”

He concluded, “So, I don’t plan on doing that. Thank you.”

Contributing: Brian Truitt