Casey Affleck's shocking confession: Phoenix documentary is fake

Ending a year-long speculation and rumors, Affleck admitted on Thursday that Phoenix's strange behavior was all an act surrounding the recording of the so-called documentary 'I'm Still Here.'

The film, which opened last Friday and was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival that same day, supposedly followed Phoenix as he announced he was retiring from acting and launching a rap career.

Depicting a tumultuous year in the life of Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix, the film features appearances from actor Ben Affleck, Kanye West and P. Diddy, plus Phoenix's February 2009 appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.

As of a swimming sequence in the flick, Affleck revealed that footage of Phoenix and his family frolicking in Panama was actually shot in Hawaii with actors, with the film later doctored to look aged.

Affleck confesses Phoenix flick is a hoax
A week after the release of the documentary, the actor-turned-director Affleck, who's Phoenix's brother-in-law, admitted to the New York Times that the whole thing was an act, including Phoenix's much reported appearance on “Letterman.”

"It's a terrific performance, it's the performance of his career," Affleck told the Times, praising Phoenix's rap performances, unkempt look and his appearance on 'Late Night with David Letterman' last year, according to People.com.

"There were multiple takes, these are performances,” added Affleck, who is married to Phoenix's sister Summer. “I never intended to trick anybody. The idea of a quote, hoax, unquote, never entered my mind."

Phoenix, who transformed from acclaimed actor to bearded, shambolic hip-hop star, is scheduled to make another appearance on the Letterman show next week.

Most the film was fake
Critics suspected Phoenix's acting was a hoax from the start. But, even earlier this month, Affleck told reporters at the Venice International Film Festival, "I can tell you that there is no hoax."

As of a swimming sequence in the flick, Affleck revealed that footage of Phoenix and his family frolicking in Panama was actually shot in Hawaii with actors, with the film later doctored to look aged.

He told the New York Times that even Phoenix’s appearance on Letterman show was not real. He acknowledged that Letterman was not involved in the joke.

Affleck revealed that disturbing moments in the movie in which Phoenix appears to take drugs, surf the internet for call girls, live it up with prostitutes, diving off a stage to attack a heckler and vomiting were also staged with the help of actors, MTV reports.

Affleck is an actor who has appeared in 'Good Will Hunting,' 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' and 'Gone Baby Gone.' The younger brother of actor-director Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, makes his directorial debut with 'I'm Still Here.'

Phoenix, who is best known for his work in 'Parenthood' and 'Gladiator,' received widespread critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of country singer Johnny Cash in the 2005 movie 'Walk The Line.'