Seems like a Borat-style gimmick that is getting good publicity along the way.
If the end result is some sort of doc/film, the buzz generated by the performances, Letterman, etc. will have people curious to see how it all plays out.
If nothing else, these little clips are hilarious…

The man is an ideologue and doing Marinetti proud. This is performance art at its best. Watch for the movie because I think he is turning the media inside out and onto itself. Brilliant stuff!!

If this wasn’t staged, there would be assault charges filed and a civil lawsuit. The fact that no charges or suit have been filed leads me to believe the heckler was a plant.

Vanilla Ice the 2nd.

this is just lame. not even very creative performance art.

it’s like he’s pulling a more violent, non-funny parody of zach galifianakis…who does that? Comb your beard, stupid. You look like a hobo. Apparently you act like one, too.

this joaquin phoenix guy is an idiot. how stupid.

This was awesome I was there… GO JOAQUIN!!!!!

Joaquin Phoenix is actually Andy Kauffman.

Hey Ass Face, make your own damn jokes.

Hack.

This isn’t even INTERESTING. When it’s finally revealed as a hoax it’ll be met with a shrug and forgotten in a second by those who are left caring (both of them.) The first hint that something was wrong? He’s being trailed around by an Affleck. This has all been done before–remember when Jennifer Lopez pretended to be a singer and Ben Affleck trailed her around with a camera? The movie that came out of that was ‘Giggly’ or something. This one should probably be as good.

Its a hoax. There will be more “episodes” forthcoming.

If you could understand wtf he’s “rapping”, it might be interesting. Just a bunch of mumbling from an overly hairy guy.

I think he’s hot

Possible Hoax Giveaways-

1. Casey A. is too smart an actor to let his friend/bro in law make a fool of himself and capture it all on tape for our viewing pleasure.

2. Can anyone decipher a single song in any of Phoenix’s sets, and why is there only little, if any actual footage of Joaquin rapping?

3. Why are all the clips direct (with very little b-roll) in showing Joaquin’s demise as an artist(other than maybe Letterman)?

I will predict this project to be an experimental, post-modern if you would doc film that in many ways, may never be the film we all expect. It may end up being a drawn out idea that we experience thru the media snippets, blogs, etc.

The real question someone needs to ask-
Did Andy Kaufman ever drop the act?

JEB RULES!

now, wouldnt it be even greater if the release of the documentary was to be serious, yet with an underlining sarcasm, and people found it funny and entertaining yet joaquin and affleck both still took it as a serious matter, only to give more proof that this was real and that people judged wrong, then it turns out it was a hoax of a hoax and it was all a joke. thus making the joke even more elaborate and funny.

the guys a disgrace not just to himself but to the memory of his brother, whom would be smacking this idiot up side his hairy face if he was till around. Your a joke mate get some shavers and some self respect you bum

It’s pretty clear the guy is mentally ill-let up on him.He’s a human being.

It’s called an identity crisis. He’s reverting to his adolescence and wondering what the hell is his life all about.

90’s are over man.

This is clearly a hoax, but a good one. The mere fact that people are discussing this so heavily and arguing back and forth about its legitimacy just gives away the plot. I give Joaquin all the props in the world, because he’s doing a marvelous job, and yes, people will remember this for some time to come. But, to pull it off, he needs to release a song.

It’s a hoax, but a good one. Joaquin’s a great actor and I just don’t buy the mentally ill copout. He clearly is playing games with us here, but I love it, because it’s genius. When this all comes full circle it’ll be seen as a brilliant marketing ploy. But, I’d like to see it go a little further with the release of a Phoenix rap track for our listening pleasure.

I can’t help it. I’m concerned about the guy. He is a fantastic actor. Doesn’t anyone else think he needs some help? But I have to agree… if this is a hoax, it will be shrugged off and soon forgotten. I don’t see the genius in any of this. I’m embarrassed for him!!

This hoax is very original. I’m an idiot for even commenting on this.

He’s definitely going for the Matisyahu look. All he needs is to grow his beard out a little more, and get a yamaka. The black suit is already a pretty perfect fit, as well as the whole hip-hop genre. In all honesty however, I don’t think he’s being true to himself. We already have a famous white rapper, and his name is Eminem, and he happened to grow up in Detroit, and is actually from the hood, so this must be some type of charade Phoenix is trying to pull off for publicity. El makes a good point, like who wouldn’t file a lawsuit if they were attacked by someone famous. Attacking a heckler is irresponsible and not something a person that could be viewed as a role model should do, and therefore is probably a staged incident. As the clubgoer Luis Gendron said “He knows the game hes playing, and he’s good at it” referring to Joaquin’s cunning ability to make success in the entertainment industry.

He’s definitely going for the Matisyahu look. All he needs is to grow his beard out a little more, and get a yamaka. The black suit is already a pretty perfect fit, as well as the whole hip-hop genre. In all honesty however, I don’t think he’s being true to himself. We already have a famous white rapper, and his name is Eminem, and he happened to grow up in Detroit, and is actually from the hood, so this must be some type of charade Phoenix is trying to pull off for publicity. El makes a good point, like who wouldn’t file a lawsuit if they were attacked by someone famous. Attacking a heckler is irresponsible and not something a person that could be viewed as a role model should do, and therefore is probably a staged incident. As the clubgoer Luis Gendron said “He knows the game hes playing, and he’s good at it” referring to Joaquin’s cunning ability to make success in the entertainment industry.

Andy Kaufman he ain’t!?!

YET ANOTHER CELEBRITY/BASKET CASE
GONE MAD. i HOPE i Never hear from Mr. Phoenix again. Good riddance!!

YET ANOTHER CELEBRITY/BASKET CASE
GONE MAD. i HOPE i Never hear from Mr. Phoenix again. Good riddance!!

There is no “documentary” better that Fear of a Black Hat!!!!!!

Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck are two brilliant actors and have fame and talent in there blood. They don’t need publicity. There is no way any of this is real. This is just a couple of geniuses bored with Hollywood and everyone who thought otherwise is going to feel like a total jackass in a couple of months when we find out the truth.

PHOENIX FLAMING

The cause of phoenix flame is not discussed.
Sudden or smoldering is not known.
The fanning of those splendorous wings
brought light to embers lost in the dark
that in the dark may have remained
before the feeble flutter
when the phoenix missed its mark.

I can definitely sense something “flaming” about that last comment.

Yeah, if it is a hoax, it’s already been done (Andy Kauffman). When he eventually starts acting again, I’m boycotting his films

Get off the shrooms brother!

what is this???
is he outta his mind?

he sucks but acting is cool thoe

Hi- I didn’t mean to flame him really– I feel bad that it’s a bad situation for him whatever its cause.

I’ve seen this happen before to people I know. The man has had a bummer. He has tripped on some bad acid. They never come out of it. He’ll stay like until he dies. That’s why you don’t trip acid kids (unless you know an authentic indian chief who lives on an indian reserve… you trip on that and be fine).

all drugs are bad… don’t trip acid with indian chiefs neither. that too is bad.

he sucks

Well my name is JP, so don’t call me Leaf
my rhymings so tight, can’t get floss through my teef
Yeah I own the night, don’t wanna hear from no hater
I conquer the clubs, like the mack from Gladiator
Got the beard, got the shades, got Affleck runnin tape
rap needs my skillz, like chardonnay needs the grape
Beefed with a heckler, fell down off a stage
pullin’ down so much money, acting pays minimum wage
Dis my raps, hear my gat go boom
drop you like a body front the Viper Room

If the incident is true, its pretty sad to see this actor “fall from fame.” Some of the work he has done is pretty phenomenal. It seems like a shame for that talent to go to waste through the use of drugs and general neglect for his talent. Frankly, to see a group of guys squandering time and money on an expedition such as this, seems excessively selfish and reporting on it, is only fueling these activities. However, if in fact all of this is the elaborating hoax of some genius “artists” what are they really expecting to gain from this?

THIS IS AWESOME. PHEONIX`S GONNA PULL OFF THE PRANK OF THE DECADE!

Who cares let him do his thang

I THINK JOAQUIN IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS AND IF THIS IS IT, I THINK IT IS GREAT. I LOVE A MAN WHO FOLLOWS HIS DESIRES AND DREAMS. HE WAS FANTASTIC IN WALK THE LINE AND HE IS STILL FANTASTIC. JUST BECAUSE WHAT HE IS DOING IS ALITTLE DIFFERENT, HE IS STILL FANTASTIC. I LOVE HIM AND HE IS GREAT AT WHAT HE DOES!

hes a no talent fool.

For the love of pigeon shit…he’s just being a spoiled brat and trying to have fun at the expense of his fans…I guess he feels that now that he’s made a name for himself…he can do what he wants…
Either that or he’s trying to cover his hair lip…
As for the comment below from pink…as brilliant as he was…I think River would rather be smacked out himself if he were still alive…and I must say that real genious…like Andy Kaufman can never be replicated…
On that note…I love you Tony Clifton…I’ll never forget our night in Vegas…

Tô nem aí pro os outros pessam, eu amo o joaquin e nada vai mudar esse sentimento.

I think Joaquin is sexy and i think he should be able to do what he wants. If it makes him happy go for it. I wouldn’t mind showing him a good time.

Joaquin if you’re reading this i just want to let you know you rock and that I want you bad

I work on a psych ward, and this man is ill. His mannerisms on the Letterman show were too good to be acting, particularly the partial upper lip smile in which the corners of his mouth do not go up. I’ve seen many schizophrenics smile like this. The paranoia was also very much like that of a schizophrenic. Casey Affleck & Hollywood et al. better do a double take on what is really going on, or they’re going to experience a world of sorrow. I highly doubt this is some giant comedy ploy–mocking schizophrenics, not cool–it’s a tragic disease.

What I think Joaquin should do is get Aleka’s Attic [River's band] to help him with this project that he’s doing. Anyways what he’s doing is still great and I’ll stand by him 100% of the way. I think he’s smokin HOT! I LOVE YOU JOAQUIN!!!

Joaquin; could you please give me some pointers on how you are pulling this one off? You’re a great actor. I’d love to pull something like this off on some of my family members and maybe they will go away out of fear.
GO FOR IT DUDE!