Los Angeles, Sep 24 (IANS): Actor Joaquin Phoenix walked off from an interview on being asked if his forthcoming film "Joker" will incite violence.

The actor walked out of the interview with "The Telegraph" film critic Robbie Collin when he was asked if he is worried that "Joker" might "perversely end up inspiring exactly the kind of people it's about, with potentially tragic results", reports "indiewire.com".

"Why? Why would you…? No, no," he said before abruptly walking out of the interview.

After spending an hour talking to a press agent with Warner Bros., the studio behind the Todd Phillips-directed project, Phoenix returned to complete the interview.

The outlet reports the actor returned and explained he panicked because he did not consider the question, and didn't answer the question.

"Joker" is based on the popular DC supervillain of the same name. It follows the life of Arthur Fleck (essayed by Phoenix) as an aspiring stand-up comedian and his transition into becoming the Joker.

Phoenix's "Joker" had its world premiere in Venice on August 31. Since then, many film critics have wondered if the movie will encourage violence.