Leonardo DiCaprio and Joaquin Phoenix Declined Joker Role in The Dark Knight

• Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the Joker role in The Dark Knight before Heath Ledger.
• Joaquin Phoenix was also offered the role but declined.
• Christopher Nolan's casting director John Papsidera revealed this at the Nashville Film Festival.
• Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker became one of the most influential performances in cinema history.
• Both DiCaprio and Phoenix turned down the role, leading to Ledger's casting.