Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
“I think it’s just moving on. It’s rediscovering something else,” said Phoenix, 34, said in an interview with Associated Press Television News before Saturday’s American Film Institute festival, which also premiered “Che,” starring Benicio Del Toro.
“Two Lovers” is his last film, he said. His publicist had disclosed Friday that the actor intended to focus on music.
Phoenix first mentioned his decision to “Extra” early last week at a fundraiser in San Francisco. He abruptly ended that interview after the reporter wondered whether he was joking about giving up acting for music.
Phoenix learned to play guitar and did his own singing to play country legend Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination. His publicist also said Phoenix has been directing music videos in recent years.
“It’s like greener pastures, you know what I mean?” Phoenix said Saturday. “And so, I’m just going to try and like, I’ll just be doing the other thing. … Hopefully, I will emotionally impact you with that, as well.”
AP
He can’t be having a midlife crisis at the age of 34 right? The ‘new’ look coupled with his announcement screams INTERVENTION. I know is older brother was lead singer or Nirvana and he learned guitar and sung on the soundtrack to his film “Walk the Line” but I think the phrase actors shouldn’t be singers, and singers shouldn’t be actors apply here. When he doesn’t make it as a musician I guess he’ll get back to acting. Celebrities.
Def Jam executive VP Shakir Stewart reportedly committed suicide today (Nov. 1) in Atlanta, according to sources. No other details were available at deadline.
“L.A. Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart,” read a statement sent from the label today. “Shakir was an amazing man in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people that had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.”
Stewart succeeded Jay-Z at the top of the Def Jam ladder in June and also retained his duties as senior VP of A&R at Island Def Jam. The Oakland, Calif., native signed such artists as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and newcomer Karina Pasian.
Stewart cut his teeth as a music executive at Hitco Music Publishing, where he was creative director and later senior VP of creative/GM and signed Beyonce Knowles.
Even before he gained a rep for promoting rap concerts during his Morehouse College days, Stewart was “the guy who was the head of passing out fliers at seven clubs a night, seven days a week in 20-degree weather,” he told Billboard this summer.
Stewart said at the time it was his goal to help develop “new, young executives … The hot executive who’s 21, 22 years old and has a serious passion for music and the desire to work 27 hours a day. That’s where I was at that time in my life. And that’s who I’m looking to mentor. I don’t see many people like that. Instead, I see a lot of kids who want to live the lifestyle but don’t want to put in the work and do what it takes.”
Billboard
Despite trick or treat weekend Highschool Musical 3 top the box office over Saw V
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE ESTIMATE
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
1. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Disney) 3,626 $15,000,000
2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (The Weinstein Co.) 2,735 $10,700,000
3. Saw V (Lionsgate) 3,084 $10,100,000
4. Changeling (Universal) 1,850 $9,400,000
5. Haunting of Molly Hartley (Freestyle) 2,652 $6,000,000
6. Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Disney) 3,004 $4,700,000
7. The Secret Life Of Bees (Fox Searchlight) 1,611 $4,000,000
8. Max Payne (20th Century Fox) 2,564 $3,700,000
9. Eagle Eye (DreamWorks/Paramount) 2,007 $3,400,000
10. Pride and Glory (New Line/Warner Bros.) 2,585 $3,300,000
in millions of dollars
Variety
