Joaquin Phoenix is capitalizing on his famous melt-down. Magnolia Pictures acquired world rights to Casey Affleck’s “I’m Still Here,” which chronicles a tumultuous year in the Oscar nominated actor’s life, during which he tried to become a hip hop musician and became David Letterman’s least favorite guest.
Indeed, Phoenix’s behavior was so bizarre that it prompted rumors it was either the result of drug abuse or a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt. The documentary marks Affleck’s directing debut. Keeping it all in the family, Affleck is Phoenix’s brother-in-law.
Magnolia will release “I’m Still Here” on September 10, 2010.
No word on the terms of the deal, but it was negotiated by Tom Quinn, the distributor’s senior vice president; Dori Begley, acquisitions vice president; and Chris Matson, head of business affairs, with Liesl Copland for WME Global.
Affleck had been screening the film for buyers throughout the late spring and summer, and Magnolia’s interest in the movie had been previously reported. Magnolia, which is owned Wagner/Cuban Companies, released Phoenix’s 2008 drama “Two Lovers.”
Prior to quitting acting for music, Phoenix earned Oscar nominations for 2000’s “Gladiator” and 2005’s “Walk the Line.” Affleck received his own Oscar nomination in 2007 for his work on “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.”