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Apparently That Joaquin Phoenix Mockumentary Really Exists

by Ethan Anderton
May 6, 2010
Source: Deadline

After announcing to the world his retirement from acting to become a rapper, Joaquin Phoenix and his bird's nest of a beard seemed to tumble into obscurity, give or take that strange appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman." His Andy Kaufman inspired behavior was said to be the subject of a documentary, or more appropriately a mockumentary, with Phoenix putting on a show for what seemed like a very daring project for Casey Affleck's directorial debut. It's been awhile since we'd heard anything about the project, but Deadline reports that a secret screening took place at talent agency just last week for potential buyers.

Apparently the potential buyers in attendance were sworn to secrecy and WME plans to keep the project's content under wraps as long as possible for the maximum amount of hype (maybe they should've had J.J. Abrams shoot a secret trailer for the project). This is definitely something I'm looking forward to seeing since Phoenix's publicized fall from grace was was so tragically convincing that the rest of the film has to be close to brilliant. If you need anymore convincing, check out this video of his rapping debut at the Las Vegas night club LAVO where he touted himself as a homeless rapper, jumped crazily around stage, and topped it all off by falling off of it. It should be quite interesting to see the real story behind all of these shenanigans.

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12 Comments

I can't imagine anything that comes out of that stupid stunt could add up to shit compared with what he could have done with the last several years of his career. But hey, I guess there isn't much left to ruin if it doesn't do well.

Mark on May 6, 2010

This idea of a mockumentary reminds me The Heavenly Kings. It's a mockymentary about the debut of a gang of Hong Kong actors (Daniel Wu and a few other guys) into the music industry as the band Alive Not Dead. Everyone bought that in Hong Kong and even elsewhere (I'm French and I bought it at the time), they had an official website and all... And finally it ended up like being a big joke... and a movie !

Elodie on May 6, 2010

I just laughed my ass off at that Letterman interview, but at the same time he looks like hes in seriously bad shape, almost even cracked out. Its a real shame this guy is throwing his career away like he is, hes one of the finest actors Ive ever seen and it feels like hes just deteriorating I guess would be the word.

Cody w on May 6, 2010

Im also wondering if this is just some kind of stunt hes pulling for the mockumentary or something....Maybe just wishful thinking.

Cody w on May 6, 2010

That description alone: 'I'm a homeless rapper!'. Jumping around stage, then falling off it. Makes this one of my most anticipated films. I love Joaquin Phoenix

HelveticaConspiracy on May 6, 2010

I really do hope that this has been a stunt all along because it would be a damn shame to lose a talent like Phoenix. As funny as the Letterman interview was I hope that he hasn't really lost the plot because he really is a great actor.

Anti-Fox on May 6, 2010

who cares. actors are a dime a dozen and while joaquin is great, he's never secured himself as a hollywood staple or even an indie one, so whats the big loss? why isnt this article about the Human Centipede instead?

Voice of Reason on May 6, 2010

I'm in.

Xerxex on May 6, 2010

I'm not even convinced it wasn't real. He's a good actor and all, but something tells me a lot of those interviews/performances were authentic.

germs on May 6, 2010

Haha, he's a genius.

guy on May 6, 2010

I think this was a big mistake on Phoenix’s part and it will take some good performances to repair the damage to his career from doing it. In a way I hope I am proved wrong and this turns into a success but I can’t see it.

Andy on May 7, 2010

If it's true, then this has to be the most extreme example of method acting I've ever heard of...

Squiggly_P on May 8, 2010

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