“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.”
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.
