Joaquin Phoenix says he based the signature laughter of iconic DC villain The Joker on a neurological disorder known as Pathological Laughter and Crying (PLC).

The condition is characterized by inappropriate and involuntary laughing and crying due to a nervous system disorder.

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Camera test (w/ sound). Joker.

A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on Sep 21, 2018 at 10:00am PDT

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Phoenix, who is set to star as the Clown Prince of Crime in the eponymous film, said he watched videos of people suffering from the condition as part of his preparation.

"I started (with the laugh). I watched videos of people suffering from pathological laughter, a neurological disorder that makes individuals laugh uncontrollably," the actor told Italian magazine Il Venerdi.

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Teaser trailer tomorrow. #JokerMovie

A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on Apr 2, 2019 at 8:34am PDT

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Phoenix follows the likes of Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto with his portrayal of the Joker in the Todd Philips-directed movie.

Also featuring Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, and Marc Maron, 'Joker' will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month. It releases worldwide in October.

Watch the trailer here:

Put on a happy face. #JokerMovie - in theaters October 4. pic.twitter.com/TxF3Jqxjjr
— Joker Movie (@jokermovie) April 3, 2019

'Joker': Joaquin Phoenix reveals how he mastered the iconic laugh of Batman's arch-nemesis

Joaquin Phoenix says he based the signature laughter of iconic DC villain The Joker on a neurological disorder known as Pathological Laughter and Crying (PLC).

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