NEW YORK, NY – One actor has decided to come out of retirement and share with the world his shocking career change!

It could be said that two years ago, Joaquin Phoenix was at the peak of his acting career. Only 33, the actor had some very successful films under his belt such as Gladiator, Walk the Line and We Own the Night. For Phoenix, that was more than enough and he shocked the acting community by announcing his retirement to focus on his music career. Well, he’s back.

Phoenix will be starring in a documentary, I’m Still Here, due out in September. The documentary – referred to as a mockumentary by some critics – will follow him as he pursues a career in hip hop.

When the documentary was first announced back in 2008, many believed that it was an elaborate hoax to garner the former actor publicity and attention. Phoenix quickly addressed the rumors.

“This is no joke. Might I be ridiculous? Might my career in music be laughable? Yeah, that’s possible, but that’s certainly not my intention,” Phoenix said in a statement.

Phoenix’s appearance has taken a drastic turn – for the worse. He will be sporting a shaggy mop, unkept facial hair and a solid beer gut. His demeanor has gone from relaxed and composed to just plain weird. A teaser trailer for the documentary has been released.

UPDATE: As Weekly World News previously revealed, Joaquin Phoenix decided to partner with Bat Boy in his new musical career. And now Joaquin’s friends are blaming his odd behavior on the little mutant!

The actor-now-rapper went on the Late Show with David Letterman, to disastrous results:

Close friends are now attributing Joaquin’s personality change to spending too much time with Bat Boy. An anonymous source stated, “Look, I love Joaquin like a brother. That’s why Bat Boy needs to be outed as the culprit and sent packing. This new lifestyle is no good for Joaquin.”

Some believe the problems started when the actor switched to Bat Boy’s diet of mosquitoes and Mountain Dew. The source continued, “Is that any way for a grown man to eat? That mosquito pulp is messing up his mind!”

NOVEMBER 10, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CA – After announcing his acting retirement to focus on his music, Joaquin Phoenix revealed that he will be partnering with Bat Boy!

At this morning’s press junket, Joaquin explained, “I think it’s just moving on. It’s discovering something else, something new and great. And I’ve discovered that in Bat Boy.”

When asked how he found Bat Boy, he answered, “A package arrived at my agent’s office for me, with the return address merely reading ‘CAVE’. I opened it up to find a CD case caked in bat guano. I mean, how avant garde is this kid?! The CD was just 80 minutes of shrieking and squealing. Real early Yoko Ono stuff. I had to have him.”

In regards to recent exploitation accusations, the band’s manager clarified that per Bat Boy’s request, he will be paid in jars of mosquitoes and sleep in the recording studio’s basement.

LAS VEGAS, NV – After an abysmal showing this weekend, Joaquin Phoenix has had his Hip Hop privileges revoked.

At LAVO this Saturday, a scruffy and clearly inebriated Joaquin Phoenix mumbled through a three song rap set which is already being called one of the worst in the genre’s history.  Fans were unsure what to make of the spectacle, thinking it must be a joke.  Then he fell off the stage.

In an emergency meeting, the High Chancellors of Hip Hop, including Grandmaster Flash, Funkmaster Flex and Snoop Dogg, came to the decision to revoke Joaquin’s rap privileges.  “We don’t want to have what happened to the blues, where a bunch of rich guys from Hollywood destroy decades of heritage.” said Snoop d-o-double-g.

“I’m really sorry to all the people I’ve let down.  I never wanted to hurt anybody,”  Joaquin said while leaving an LA nightclub on Sunday.  Then he fell off the sidewalk.

Mr. Phoenix can appeal the decision within the next thirty days, provided he agrees to take mandatory History of Hip Hop and Rapping for Beginners courses.

LOS ANGELES, CA – After announcing his acting retirement to focus on his music, Joaquin Phoenix revealed that he will be partnering with Bat Boy!

At this morning’s press junket, Joaquin explained, “I think it’s just moving on. It’s discovering something else, something new and great. And I’ve discovered that in Bat Boy.”

When asked how he found Bat Boy, he answered, “A package arrived at my agent’s office for me, with the return address merely reading ‘CAVE’. I opened it up to find a CD case caked in bat guano. I mean, how avant garde is this kid?! The CD was just 80 minutes of shrieking and squealing. Real early Yoko Ono stuff. I had to have him.”

In regards to recent exploitation accusations, the band’s manager clarified that per Bat Boy’s request, he will be paid in jars of mosquitoes and sleep in the recording studio’s basement.