Jimmy Kimmel shares video of Joaquin Phoenix's expletive-laden rant at 'Joker' crew member and things got awkward really quick

For a while now, DC comic book movies have had something of a lacklustre reputation. Batman vs Superman, Justice League, and the Suicide Squad movies did nothing to challenge this, but now the new Joker movie could be about to unseat the MCU's box office dominance at last.

Taking inspiration from movies like Taxi Driver, as well as Alan Moore's classic comic The Killing Joke, this grim and psychological origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime has gotten nerds around the world hyped.

A lot of that is due to the fact that renowned method actor Joaquin Phoenix is going to be donning the makeup and putting on a happy face, following in the footsteps of Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson, and Jared Leto before him.

However, in a recent interview on the talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote the upcoming movie, Joaquin was confronted with a mortifying video of an outtake from the shoot, which showed him launching into a profane rant at a crew member.

The clip shows Phoenix, dressed in costume and partially covered in makeup, telling cinematographer Lawrence Sher that he was insulted that he had referred to him as ''Cher'' due to his perceived ''diva'' behaviour.

Joaquin states: "You know, just the constant whisper. Shut the f*ck up dude. I know you started the f*cking Cher thing Larry. You think it's so f*cking funny making fun of me. I'm a f*cking diva. It's not even funny ... she's a singer, actor, dancer, fashion icon. How is that a f*cking insult?"

The audience's reception to the clip was pretty awkward. A sheepish Joaquin, who seemed extremely embarrassed by the footage, tried to explain away his outburst during the interview.

Phoenix stated: "This is so embarrassing. Sometimes movies get intense because there are a lot of people in a small space and you’re trying to find something so it can feel intense. But ... that was supposed to be private. I’m a little embarrassed. I’m sorry about that."

However, it seems unlikely that this incident will affect the movie's earnings, especially since it has already received an eight-minute long standing ovation from critics at the premiere.