After his performance in The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson's critically adored drama about the power of religion, Joaquin Phoenix was sitting pretty at the top of most early Oscar predictions.
His turn as a WWII veteran intoxicated with the teachings of a Scientology-esque leader was seen by most as a return to form after the I'm Still Here madness.
But you might want to grab a permanent marker as Phoenix has blasted the Oscars in a new piece in Interview magazine. In fact, he's decided not to participate in the whole season.
"I'm just saying that I think it's bullsh*t," he says. "I think it's total, utter bullsh*t, and I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot. It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other...It's the stupidest thing in the whole world."
Last time Phoenix was involved in the awards season was when he received a nomination for Best Actor for Walk The Line and it's not something he remembers fondly.
"It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when Walk the Line was going through all the awards stuff and all that," he reveals. "I never want to have that experience again. I don't know how to explain it—and it's not like I'm in this place where I think I'm just above it—but I just don't ever want to get comfortable with that part of things."
Up until this point, he was a joint favourite with Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln but playing the game is an important part of getting included so it'll remain to be seen how this has affected his chances. Doesn't sound like he'll care though. This is the guy whose next film sees him star as a guy who falls in love with a computer.
(Image: All Star)
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