Phoenix 'Breakdown' More Like a Put-On

Joaquin Phoenix's transformation from Oscar-nominated actor to bumbling rapper may be a prank meant to satirize media coverage of pompous actors, Entertainment Weekly reports. “He said, ‘It's a put-on. I'm going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey [Affleck] is going to film it,’” a source close to the actor said.

“It's an art project for him. He's going full out,” said another source. “He probably has told his reps that he's quit acting. Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control.”
(More Joaquin Phoenix stories.)