Joaquin Phoenix is, allegedly, as frustrated by the acting profession as he is by the spelling of his own name. While shuffling and mumbling around a recent Paul Newman benefit, the actor apparently told whoever would listen that he's done with acting. Finished. Seriously. Don't try to stop him.
So what is he going to do besides smoke and scowl? Focus on his music career. Didn't know he had a music career? Well, guess what? You're gonna.
This news pretty much raises a collective "meh" upon first glance, but consider this. No chance for a We Still Own the Night. No chance for Reservation Road: Gimme Back My Son! No chance for all those scripts originally ear-marked for River Phoenix to find a home.
But seriously, we would have loved to have seen a Walk the Line sequel that focused entirely on Johnny Cash's time in The Highwaymen. Imagine that:
That's like the country music equivalent of the Justice League. In fact, we have a script in which their tour bus gets hit by gamma radiation and they become the Justice League. If Hollywood wants to see Willie Nelson with sentient braids that can pick up objects like Doc Ock's arms, you know who to call.
Oh, and if you think we're being unnecessarily harsh towards Joaquin, consider that this guy seemed to enjoy acting as much as you enjoy hemorrhoids, the music of the Jonas Brothers, and your extended family. We're not talking a titan of cinema here, so all we can say to his petulant "You'll miss me!" is, "Um, not really, dude. Enjoy opening up for 30 Seconds to Mars or Dogstar."
UPDATE!
Still quitting. Still a moron. We're actually suppose to miss this asshat? Bye-good to you, sir!
By the way, your next 8 roles have already been divided up and given to Mark Ruffalo and Billy Crudup. They say thanks.