Phoenix is convinced if the film had been called "Jesus" rather than "Mary Magdalene," he would not have been as interested in playing the role. He liked the opportunity to explore the story that has rarely been examined to this extent in a feature film. Phoenix knew the story, but it wasn't until he started making the movie that he fully appreciated the part women played in Jesus' life.
"The key for me was to acknowledge he was a man. I think what the film is talking about is the human and divine can coexist and they can coexist in the same person," Phoenix says. "I think the mistake that we make sometimes is making one or the other exclusive. It was important for me to find that and I think it was unlocked with Mary.
"When Rooney and I were working together, it was important to find some playfulness and some joy that they found. It was important that we explored all the colors that were available. The temptation is to play the divine, but if you were just divine, there would be no struggle. The power of his story is his struggle."
Davis started casting with finding the right actor to play Mary Magdalene and Mara was an obvious choice. The pair had worked together on his award-winning "Lion." Not only did she show her skills in "Lion" but she has starred in "Carol," "Her," "Una" and "The Secret Scripture."
"Rooney can play such atmosphere in her silences," says Davis. "Mary Magdalene was living in this world that did not understand her and had this yearning. Rooney could get all of that across with one look. I felt that was a very refreshing way to capture the character."
Mara found the role to be quite different. This was not like playing a character based on a fictional crime drama as with "Tattoo" or even playing someone who lived in recent years. There's not a full story of Mary Magdalene, so pieces of her life had to be created for the script. The main thing she also wanted was play her in a way that humanized her.
Once Davis had cast Mara, he knew he had to find an actor to play Jesus, who could mirror many of those qualities. He also needed to find the right person to play Jesus not as if he was being held up above everyone but was like everyone else in many ways. That's when Phoenix became part of the production.
Taking on the role is just the latest in a long career for Phoenix. There has not been a year for him that has provided him with as much diversity as 2019. Not only does Phoenix play Jesus in "Mary Magdalene," but he takes on the role of Batman's greatest foe in "The Joker" set to open in the fall.
Phoenix calls it his great luck to be able to play so many different types of roles because that's the driving force for most actors.