Joaquin Phoenix to return to acting in anti-Scientology film?

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Hey, remember that actor-turned-Unibomber-twin, Joaquin Phoenix? Well, he’s looking to officially end that “retirement” phase from a few years ago and has already sought to make amends by apologizing to David Letterman, but he has yet to secure any real acting work after he and Casey Affleck gave the finger to the world with I’m Still Here. Now, Phoenix is said to be circling a project that’s unofficially called The Master (but is still officially untitled) and will be directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who previously helmed an amazingly horrific tale of greed in There Will Be Blood. If Phoenix signs on, he’ll endear himself to the world with an anti-Scientology message:

Joaquin Phoenix, who hasn’t acted since his “retirement” that precipitated I’m Still Here, is in early talks to join Philip Seymour Hoffman in Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled religious drama.

Anderson is directing from his own original script, which chronicles a disaffected disciple’s relationship with the founder of a new faith that closely mirrors Scientology.

Hoffman will play Lancaster Dodd, a charismatic intellectual known as The Master, while Phoenix would play Freddie Sutton, an alcholic drifter who becomes his right-hand man only to begin questioning his manipulative mentor.

[From Variety]

This would be a very interesting development in Phoenix’s career and might possibly put him on the path of redemption after that notorious Casey Affleck mockumentary. It must also be noted that Joaquin grew up as a member of the Children of God “movement,” which undoubtedly gave him plenty of life experience from which to draw concerning the mindset of cult members. Slashfilm notes that Joaquin’s prospective role was originally to be played by Jeremy Renner, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and also (and this is key) because he joined Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Naturally, Renner couldn’t join a Tom Cruise film while still intending to act within an anti-Scientology film, right? This is a slightly disappointing realization about Renner, who is truly a talented actor and an all-around likeable guy, so if the CO$ truly gets their claws into him … the gloves come off.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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38 Responses to “Joaquin Phoenix to return to acting in anti-Scientology film?”

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  1. MyTBean says:

    Woot! I really hope he wiggles back into the spot-light. Yeah – He’s crazy… like a fox. Anit-Scientology… PERFECT! If he brings his A-Game it’ll be fantabulous… (but don’t forget to wear your tinfoil hat)

  2. Phoenix says:

    Yay, it’s been too long since we’ve seen Joaquin doing what he arguably does better than being defecated on and growing a beard. I miss him.

  3. dorothy#1 says:

    I will watch! I have always and will always like Joaquin!!!

    Plus I am interested in Scientology as a cult and religion. But I happen to think all religions are a form of cult. lol

  4. TXCinderella says:

    I think he is a talented actor, but man is he weird. He must have run out of money.

  5. jennifer says:

    I think he still looks like shit.

  6. margaritachum says:

    i will watch it.
    i loved him on walk the line. he’s a talented actor and these days it’s a hard thing to find.
    and yes he’s crazy, but if i was a member of the children of god movement i would be crazy too.
    when he’s not looking like unibomber he’s hot.

  7. Jess says:

    I completely agree with MyTBean!

  8. Jaded says:

    He was sooooooooo great in Walk the Line…he deserved an oscar win for that.

  9. Nanz says:

    His acting together with PSH will be awesome. I know he alienated a lot of people with his mockumentary, but how could they not know it was a joke? I was afraid he was habing a breakdown of sorts or believe it was a joke. I still think he is much more talented than many of his prettier faced Hollywood peers, and he is incredibly sexy. Also quite talented.

  10. Isabel says:

    I can guarantee that such a movie would be fantastic. I so so so SO hope this is true.

    I loves him!

  11. Eve says:

    Joaquin Phoenix, regardless his behaviour and his apparent lack of gratitude for the chances given (before the mockumentary), has to be one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life.

    I know he’s being “grounded” by his peers, and perhaps he deserves that. But a talent like his cannot be wasted.

    I do not want to scare anyone, but without (great actors like) Phoenix in the business, there’s a small chance that roles in important movies could end up in Justin Timberlake’s incompetent hands (or his likeness).

  12. sisi says:

    oh man! The pocket boyfriend disappoints me today 🙁

  13. Anaya says:

    His eyes are beautiful. Great actor too.

  14. duncecap says:

    wowie. Those lashes. Does he use latisse?

    Always always loved his eyes. He’s a lot less pretty than he was even a few years ago but I think he looks more interesting now.

    He’d be happier and saner if he just did character acting for the rest of his life. The work would probably be more interesting (to him) too.

  15. TheMango says:

    He has always been a great actor, although his experiment or mockumentary, or whatever you call it seems pretty disgusting. Apparently he was defecated on and at some point also defecated on someone else. Ick.

    • Mr.Smurf says:

      Didn’t the director say that everything was scripted, it’s a movie. It’s supposed to be a big middle finger to everyone who follows actors and the entertainment business like they’re the apocalypse. It was all acting…so he didn’t really have a melt down, he was just getting into the role like he always does. He’s a good actor, so good that I haven’t seen all of Gladiator, but I’ve seen all of his scenes in it.

  16. Nanea says:

    It’s about time the general public is made more aware of that cult’s scheming, especially how they deal with members who have dissenting opinions or want to leave the cult.

    While many people I know have read that recent New Yorker piece, and the articles in the St Petersburg Times, many people still fawn over the likes of Crazy Cruise, Travolta, the Smiths (who say they’ve never joined but base their school’s curriculum on Study Tech), Kristie Allen and so many others.

  17. Majosha says:

    @Eve: Excellent post, and I couldn’t agree more.

  18. truetalk says:

    i wish him all d best. i’ve really missed seeing him on the big screen.
    he’s talented, versatile and incredibly sexy;always a leading man in my eyes.

  19. Merry says:

    It’s about time for both Joaquin’s comeback and the anti-scientology movie. Go for it Joaquin!

  20. harfang says:

    Wow, he cleaned up good. He was so amazing in Gladiator that I’d be thrilled to see him get a decent career going again.

  21. 3Kids says:

    Please let this be true. The return of the Phoenix and an actual film rebuke of that cult? Gosh, picture how much fun Ricky Gervais would have if it was up for awards and the camera cuts to…
    actually half the audience.

  22. Victoire says:

    He’s back ?? I’m so happy right now 🙂

    He’s HOT !

  23. Anoni Mus says:

    Great actor, intense personality. Yes, he’s somewhat eccentric or a little bit crazy or both, but he looks mighty fine to me.

    Joaquin for HGF!

  24. westwardho says:

    i don’t care WHAT he looks like: this guy isn’t a “star,” he’s an ACTOR. his performance in “gladiator” was electric. i’d pay to see him act in a paper bag.

  25. Chris says:

    I hope he can get himself back on track. I’ve never seen anyone shot themself in the foot as badly as he did after Cash. As for his buddy Casey Affleck, whatever happened to that sexual harassment suit he was facing?

  26. right says:

    @eve: you are right but God in heaven is that a scary thought! Shiver!!!

  27. dahlia1947 says:

    I want the old Joaquin back! He may be crazy, but maybe that’s what makes him a great actor!!

    Hey Jaded! I completely agree with you!! I think that that was one of the reasons he took this turn and wanted to tell the industry F u.

  28. lolly says:

    Even as a VERY long time fan I find it hard to escape the feeling that even though he is a seriously exceptional actor, he is one magificent Pr*ck. I hope a film like this can celebrate his acting skills once again….I do sincerely hope that “I’m Still Here” kicked his ego into check… fo sho

  29. Vesper says:

    I loved him in Walk the Line.

    I still wonder if he is bipolar. It would explain the unibomber phase, the extended break from acting, the extra weight (from meds), as well as his intensity.

  30. s book took a closer look at the rapid changes taking place in the developing world – and the

  31. boo says:

    I love me some Phoenix, he is soooo sexy, but I’m still pissed about that whole I’m Still Here bs, what was he thinking along with Casey Affleck? Was that supposed to be a joke on the public, it totally backfired.

  32. normades says:

    I would still tap that ANYTIME

  33. SHump says:

    @westwardho YES!!

    Also, this movie NEEDS to be made. Seriously.

  34. Grace says:

    He needs to bleach his teeth. They look yellow, like he smokes too much.

  35. Abby says:

    I miss his brother, River.

    It’ll be 18 years he’ll be gone this year. 🙁

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