Last Wednesday David Letterman’s talk show audience perplexedly watched Joaquin Phoenix’s strange behavior. The actor came to a famous showman to promote his new film «Two lovers». Letterman’s attempt to get Phoenix to talk failed: Joaquin showed he was not interested in cinema anymore.

In November last year, Joaquin Phoenix said he was going to leave the cinema, as hoped to focus on a musical career.

Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman:«This is a private matter - the actor said a few hours before Letterman’s show. - I do not want to condemn any of people working in movie business, but I simply do not care about it. I have already succeeded in this area, so I am fed up».

The decision is final and not subject to change. «I have been thinking about it a lot - continues Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman show - but when music replaced cinema for me, there was no turning back. I did not want to be an actor just to film. I did not want to make much money or become famous».

Joaquin Phoenix became famous after role in Gus Van Sant drama «To Die For». The actor appeared in Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott, M. Night Shyamalan, Philip Kaufman, Ron Howard, and Joel Schumacher films. He was twice nominated for «Oscar» - for second plan role in «Gladiator» and central role in «Cross the line», where he played a singer Johnny Cash.

Now Joaquin Phoenix has a new image. He grow a beard, does not remove black glasses, wears ragged clothes. Joaquin Phoenix will play hip-hop. «I loved this music since childhood. Hip-hop is a suitable way to express ourselves».

The actor’s decision caused a light shock in Hollywood after Joaquin Phoenix Letterman show. It was reinforced by Joaquin Phoenix’s presentation in Las Vegas nightclub earlier this year. The newly singer fell from the stage, and Casey Affleck’s camera caught the moment: Ben’s brother shoots a documentary about his friend’s new career. Many believe that Affleck and Phoenix shoot a parody, so the actor just pretends.

However, James Gray, director of «Two Lovers» and «We Own the Night», where Joaquin Phoenix played major roles, claims Phoenix’s intentions are serious. “I know he built a real sound studio in his house” - said Gray. Joaquin Phoenix’s debut hip-hop album is produced by Sean Combs, also known as P.Diddy.

It is difficult to say what actually happens to the actor.

“Two Lovers” director James Gray says he’s responsible for Joaquin Phoenix’s decision to change career.

“This whole rap thing in the film - this is one of those I gave him listening. - says Gray. - In the film Joaquin largely imitates me. He said:” I want to make rap you gave. “I replied: “OK.” I was trying to dissuade him, but he was only angry. I feel really bad because of it - I am the guy that destroyed actor Joaquin Phoenix. I told him: “Is it my fault?” And he: “No, forget about it.”But I still feel like black.”

Gray and Phoenix have been familiar for a long. It was Gray who shot such movies with the actor as “Yards” and “We Own the Night”.

“Joaquin is an egomaniac.” - says Gray. - He is a real artist. He does not watch his own movies for 15 years. I asked him why and he replied he did not want to repeat himself. I said: “My friend, but everything is over for you, so why not see at least this one? “I hope he will eventually act like Sean Penn, who went away 42 times.”