The PR around this and Ben Stiller's parody on the Oscars lead me to believe it's some kind of project or lark. Because if one of my friends or associates started acting that way my first instinct would be to be concerned about them. I'm not entertained watching it and I find it self indulgent, but maybe the end product will be fun. Using so much different media and making the thing part of his life is interesting.

Most if not all celebrities are narcissistic, which is a form of mental illness. In Joaquin's case we more than likely have another layer of pathology – bipolar disorder or drug abuse or both. I think he's beginning to sound like Howard Hughes.

He should really see Britney Spears' psychiatrist!

Why should we care? Phoenix is a total bore – he was wasn't attractive to start with, now he's a hideous mess. If this is a hoax, he's just a complete jerk and if he's mentally ill, this is pornography of the worst kind. His brother River was the talented one.

This guy isnt even a good actor, let alone funny, or good at pulling off a scam. Let's all pay less attention to this talentless freak!!

I think it is rather sad what he has turned into – after having enjoyed him on the big screen performing brilliantly for years.Hopefully, he will come to his sences sooner than later. It would be a big loss of such talent to go down the drain.....

This falls under the "who cares" category. This is either another publicity stunt or just another drugged-out Hollywood hero going over the edge.

Maybe having too much money really isn't good for you.

The guy is smart enough to play us all. Wait and see.

Same comment I sent some months ago about the editing of your articles (not too good), please see how part of the last paragraph should have been written:

“I think that they’re might be some other explanation or something going on, I’m on quite sure what, .........

should be:

"I think that there might be .......... going on, I'm not quite sure what, .....

WHO CARES!

I think joaquin is stark raving mad!

If it's an attempt at some kind of artistic exploration, good for him. Should be more weirdness in the entertainment world. If he's nuts, well...that might be entertaining too.

It's a stunt! Strange that Casey Affleck is always around filming Phoenix when he does something bizarre....

SO that is what Ben Stiller was doing on the night of the Oscars – thanks
for clearing that up!!!

I think its great! If this is some kind of scam or wind-up then I cant wait to see what it is!

And to all of those people who put comments on here saying "who cares" ..... if you don't care then why are you reading this in the first place let alone putting a message on here!!!

And to the person who compared Joaquin to River well that is just bad taste .... River was a great child actor but who knows what he would have turned out like. I am sure Joaquin is fed up of being compared to him.

I think this is hilarious.
Looks like a joke at the media's expense. How a film star could become an overweight, bearded and take on a career as a terrible rapper and still be a success.
I think it will ultimately prove how gullible the media are...Unltimately, the record deal and biographical film will make millions. I think Joaquin is proving how easy it is to create a buzz in Hollywood. Even with absolutely ridiculous behaviour.

Sometimes people smoke a lot of marijuana and do funny things that really turn them on, things that are not them at all, their alter ego, like a time out to be schizophrenic... Joaquin is drop dead gorgeous by the way, when not covered in fir.

Remember Andy Kaufman? Enough said...

why not? more power to career changers.. even the unsucessful ones

Aces job there, writer. That's what, a triple comma splice in that last sentence?

worry about you own life people

Every so often comes a film artist with the Marlene Dietrich,Howard Hughes disorder claiming to be a recluse of some sort .I believe phoenix is really mad and this isnt a hoax,drugs or some sort of substance abuse is definetly involved.

This is clearly a "Borat"-style stunt filmed by brother-in-law Casey Affleck. The joke is on you if you believe otherwise! I adore Joaquin and I agree with David Letterman when he said there is really no better actor out there, when he performs at his best.

what a bozo.

It's called ALCOHOLISM. It's an open secret in Hollywood that Joaquin has been battling drink and drugs for years, just like his brother River. Probably a genetically inherited predisposition to substance abuse. Let's hope he manages to get it together again and doesn't end up dropping dead outside the door of some club like his brother River did. It's a sad fact, but the level of alcoholism in Hollywood is many times higher than in the general population. And alcohol is the gateway to abuse of other drugs that can end your life much more rapidly than the slow, lingering decline brought on by alcohol itself. Fingers crossed for you, Joaquin. You were great in Gladiator, Walk The Line, etc. You can pull through this.

Smacks of drug or alcohol abuse to me.

These guys are longing for attention.

Are you seriously believing this? Joaquin Pheonix as a rapper? How bad is that.
Just face the facts:
His parents belonged to a chrstian sect and went to America for selling their children (called River and Rain – I bet there's a Reindeer, too). Did he went to school after all? Then he lost his brother, but ended up doing the same drugs... With such a biography you can actually freak out that way.
But on the other hand it is one of the best postmodern jokes i have seen in quite a long time...

I always thought he was a little off. I remember after "Walk the Line" he was still dressing in black like he was still in character well after the movie had been in theaters.

must have been a bet

Just ignore the dip-Sh*t and he will go away!!!

He's a typical poseur.

I think this crazy cracker is on the smack

He's pulling a Kaufman.

I think the guy needs help...

Seriously.

Is there someone who can help him?

He is an exceptional actor... Think 'Walk the Line' and more...

It doesn't seem to be a joke... Not at all... Letterman show.... he seemed to be 'in a different world' ... why would anyone miss a promotional, one of a kind opportunity like that? He wasn't with it ... all the while should have been promoting new movie... producer's were probably furious... :)

Something's wrong, mark my words...

He have family to help him?

I actually think that he is one, if not the, most talented actor around at the moment....the type of actor who throws himself into his roles with total abandon....and if well done....this can lead to complete inner chaos.
I think there is a good chance we are simply too behind to understand what is going on in his mind.
Enough insults..enough unfounded opinions please...

Definitely alcohol/drug related.
His disorganized personality and outbursts are surefire signs of this.
The question is: Who is going to help him get through the nightmare?

he is on drugs plan and simple. coke, weed or whatever people soon forget how robert downy slipped into a rehab filled life after playing a role. His brother also died of an over dose. He should seek help before something bad happens to him. Just like if we buy bootlegged items we are funding terrorism the same should be said about his "rap" music. just dont buy his stuff dont support his habit and when the money disappears maybe he will be grounded enough to get help.

The Phoenox family , also known in its day as the bottom family, lived in my fathers guest house for two years.

They were freaks and drug abusers, although they were not bad people.

just cant believe they made it so far. They must have some kind of talent. They didnt due shit as caretakers of my fathers house although Joaquins dad dis tell me (i was 12) that he saw god on an LSD trip on the way to see the movie Oh God.

He seems to be on shrooms

I don't agree that Gwyneth Paltrow "looks pained". She looks more like a transsexual here. Definitely too mannish facial features. And Joaquin Phoenix doesn't look anything like a rapper. He looks like ZZ Top. How on earth can he be taken seriously as a rapper looking like that? He looks like a deranged hillbilly. I don't know which of them looks more "off".

I agree with Andre Avelino. WHO CARES. WHY IS THIS NEWS. The guy was an ugly non talented actor. WHO CARES WHO CARES WHO CARES.

...and by the way. BEN STILLER is another talentless jerk. Went to school with him. AHOLE SUPREMO. If it was not for his parents and hollywood nepotism he would be selling life insurance....maybe.

SHAME! I LIKE HIM VERY MUCH AS AN ACTOR...I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE'S RUINING HIS LIFE? POOR THING, I THINK HE NEEDS SOME HELP.
TO YOU JOAQUIN, IF YOU ARE JUST ACTING OR MAKING SOME GIMMICK JUST TO BECOME MORE FAMOUS, YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT. YOU ARE ALREADY FAMOUS! WHAT YOU DO INFRONT OF CAMERA IS NOT EVEN FUNNY...SAD REALLY!!! BUT WHATEVER YOU DO AT THE MOMENT, I AM STILL YOUR FAN.

Live and Let Live folks... whoever doesnt like him, ( now or before ) has a choice: dont look! ... Cum on, why is everyone getting so riled up abut this? Relaaax everyone...Live and let live!

I'm still not entirely sure of it all. It could be an awesome prank in which he will benefit once it's over. However, also in my mind I think if it's real which is scary. Alcohol? BS. It's deeper than that if it is something like that. It would have to be a very heavy drug and don't be stupid and say pot. I think it's all a joke though and while we all wonder wtf is going on, he'll be laughing to the bank at the end of it all. Even if he doesn't profit so much financially, it'll still go down in history at something ingenious.

I think he is HOT and hiding all that stuff under his beard and suit won't make me forget his looks!

He wants to live and trying other things out. Taking shots at his brother that passed away is a bit abusive. I think he is going on a journey now and doing what he wants and that is living.

It's not genetically inherited trait idiot, it's a spiritually inherited one. this guy's an asshole.

I think it's a hoax, and the BEST damn hoax to hit Hollywood. This s**t is freaking hilarious! It shows just how good an actor he is. Social experiment, anyone?

So Sad!!!!! Such a talented actor!!!! Let him be.

he is gifted and talented. and it`s seems like he is looking for love and humble. let`s give him the cradit. it`s not that he became a stupid. he is a nice guy even what seems to us as like an odd apperance. thank god he is with us, no matter what. i love him as an artist and as a person.

He actually announced over 6 months prior to Letterman that he was giving up acting to pursue a music career, not post Letterman. I saw Two Lovers on Friday and it would be a shame if he truly has given up, he is a talented actor.

Hopefully he'll come to senses some day.

I think it would be great if it turns out to be a performance piece.

Hopefully it will be an intriguing bit of work from actors and filmmakers who go "off-roading" from the movie making industry. As fascinated as I can be by the mega-production of films/movies–it must be really unwieldy for someone trying to make a more immediate, direct visual work. I'm not saying every effort will be great, but if cost-wise you can do more of them, the quality will show up eventually.

I think he's high on drugs and has lost his bloody mind. I also think River would be extremely disgusted given what happened to him.

Has anyone mentioned Chris Gains? Or was it the Chris Gains project. Much like that stunt, it will probably be forgotten in a few years.

At one point or another we all question the direction in which our lives are headed. I wouldn't think "stars" would be much different in that respect. They're human just like the rest of us, right. So, if he decides that he wants to explore other options and give up acting for awhile...so be it. I say kudos to him for trying some new and taking a chance. If we don't take risks every now again...life would be very dull! You GO dude!

The jokes on you!!

Joaquinn is a great actor. I hope this is a joke of some sort. He should have gotten the Oscar for playing Johnny Cash but it is all about politics. Why else would Sean Penn win Oscars? No once but twice, amazing.

When Penn plays one of the Stooges he won't have to stretch. He has been warming up for this role in every movie he has been in.