Joaquin Phoenix trashes Hollywood
Joaquin Phoenix in October 2007, left, and November 2008 (Getty)
Makeovers usually turn ugly ducklings into stunners, but in the case of Joaquin Phoenix, it’s the complete opposite — and it seems that his recently acquired scruffy look is here to stay.
At a Manhattan press event for his film “Two Lovers” Wednesday, the once clean-cut Oscar nominee walked into the room looking unkempt, lit Camel cigarette in hand.
And he was more than ready to defend his October declaration that he’s quitting the film business in favor of a rap career.
“I don’t f--- around. I only do s--- I really mean,” Phoenix said.
Phoenix, 34, made the movies-to-songs switch because music represents his true self more than any character ever has, he said. He even said that acting is a form of lying and that preparation is over-emphasized.
“You say you have nightmares and s--- [when playing a role] so you get a Globe,” he said.
“Look, you see movies and get affected by performances and you’re like, ‘That motherf----- went through some s---,’” he continued. “But I know you do these scenes and then you’re, like, digging around the craft service table and wondering if there are any pretzels with peanut butter.”
Documenting Phoenix’s transformation on camera is pal Casey Affleck, who plans to release the footage in theaters.
"Joaquin is probably as committed as an actor you'll find and the truth is some days you go to f------ work and ... five minutes before the take you were pawing through the M&Ms," Affleck said.
In the next few months, Phoenix said he hopes to release an album — with the help of Diddy — of humorous tunes, rhymes about his childhood, one love song, dance/club beats and “sexy stuff.”
Not so sexy? Phoenix's scraggly beard.
"I don't know if subconsciously [the beard] is a way to distance myself from how people have perceived me," he said. "Hopefully they can let that go and start taking me as J.P. and start listening to the music."
