If you picked March 13 in the “When will Joaquin Phoenix return to acting after shunning his career and going all Unabomber rapper on us” pool, then you win! The actor’s self-imposed exile from acting is over according to various stories posted on March 13. It’s been reported that Phoenix be soon star as Edgar Allen Poe in the film “The Beautiful Cigar Girl.”
Wait a minute. Don’t call your bookie to cash in on your winnings just yet. It seems none of this is true. Phoenix’s reps are denying that the actor is attached to the project. What this demonstrates is how Phoenix, with the help of overzealous bloggers (myself included) has turned himself into some sort of mysterious cult figure. Shrouded in grizzly facial hair and a swirl of rumors, only surfacing in strange Youtube videos, Phoenix has become akin to the Loc Ness Monster. Or Big Foot. People proclaim to have seen these monsters, but certain proof of their existence never materializes.
Which, in Phoenix’s case, is sad. Because he’s such a great actor. But I’m not 100% convinced he’s not doing the project. His reps deny he is currently “attached.” But that doesn’t mean it wont happen. Plus, the film’s not even up on IMDB.com yet. It might just be too early to tell if this will be Phoenix’s return ticket to Hollywood. And a fitting role, needless to say. Perhaps Phoenix’s erratic behavior and mysterious reclusivity is preparation for playing Poe.
Photo via ContactMusic
