James Gray On Joaquin Phoenix: "A Crazy Person With A Beard Making A Fool Of Himself"

Director James Gray has moved on to the UK for his "Two Lovers" press junket, and he's speaking out more on the film's leading man, "crazy person" Joaquin Phoenix.

Phoenix quit acting to pursue his rap career, is chronicling his transformation in a Casey Affleck-shot documentary, and was last seen in his now-infamous Letterman appearance - which he was booked on to promote "Two Lovers."

Gray is none-too-pleased that his film is now known for Phoenix's antics and said as much to The Times during an interview:

"It's like, Letterman was trying to get the movie out there, but the only thing that's out there now is a crazy person with a beard making a fool of himself!" says Gray, still seething today at the "circus" surrounding Phoenix...

Gray spits at the name, calling him a "clown". "I have no idea what the hell that guy is shooting," he says. "The whole thing is not to my taste, and I've let Casey know this."

As for the reports the whole thing may be a hoax, Gray said:

"If it is shown to be a hoax, then that's great, because Joaquin will come back to acting. And he is something special. But if it isn't, ye know, I think he needs, well, help."

Read the whole Gray profile.

Comments

[Jay-Phoenix]

"A Crazy Person With A Beard Making A Fool Of Himself" my ass! have you heard the ACTUAL MIXTAPE?!? Listen for yourself: http://sharebee.com/595771be

[chamilton]

Joaquinn Phoenix is a joke... i downloaded his mixtape leak... SUCKS. i guess i should have known though lol

[garystartswithg]

does anyone remember andy kaufman? joaquin doing andy kaufman isn't that funny. i think joaquin thinks his character is a lot funnier than it is. i think he already banked enough though.

[tantan75]

I think all the super-producers (Dream, Timbaland, Neptunes, Dangermouse) would prove their worth if they could get a hit song off Joaquin Pheonix. Or it would just prove that we will listen to anything if it has a good bass line.

[Lex10]

Why bother? he's joined the ranks of the Kardashians and Heidi and Spencer - just more media BS. And if it is a hoax, it's a stupid hoax. And if he returns? Meh.

[helgathewitch]

Hoax or not its not funny at all. If it is a hoax I still think he's messed up because it is a really odd thing to do. Get some help for this guy before he wnds up like his brother

[ywcachieve]

Leave him alone. He's hot, and he's a good actor.

[DaveVDave]

He WAS a good actor, I think his career is over now as an actor. I hope it is not, but I think it is.

http://www.TheCommentDepot.com

[kinogod]

Hoax or drug addiction. Either way, rubberneckers unite.

[LHibbard]

Oh dear God he looks like my ex.

[NormGoldman]

Luck gal (or guy?)

[mikeodd]

If this is for real I hope he really brings it...If its a goof, the documentary should be interesting to say the least.

[harrymellon]

The Artist vs The Businessman.

[imsosure]

Perhaps as a fool he doesn't see himself as a fool?

[utahterry]

My theory : Various film industry kooks turned him off to the biz (2Lovers co-"star" GP and possibly this director among many others) and he's enjoying the new medium to say Eff U to all of them! More power to him.

Two Lovers probably wouldn't be doing the reasonably good business it's doing if it weren't for people running to see what might be this fine actors last contribution to cinema.

Selfishly, I hope he comes back to acting but wouldn't blame him at all if he did not.

Cheers to whatever you're into Joaquin and thanks for everything you've given us thus far.

[MichiganTeacher]

He has lost it...he needs some kind of mindfull spirituality or phycho therapy- yoga, meditation, Snergy Beads, something.­.....

[Davwbaird]

Joaquin is going the way of his brother, no more an no less. He is demented.