Joaquin Phoenix has officially set his first acting project since 2019’s Joker. The acclaimed actor is teaming up with Midsommar and Hereditary writer-director Ari Aster for Disappointment Blvd.
In November, it was reported that Phoenix and Aster were looking to collaborate on a surrealist horror-themed film called Beau Is Afraid. Now, Deadline has confirmed that the project will be called Disappointment Blvd. While specific details have been kept tight-lipped, the film is described as “an intimate, decades-spanning portrait of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time.” Aster has previously stated that his next film would be four-hours long. He described it as an adults-online “zonkey nightmare comedy.” The director didn’t specifically name the project, so it’s unclear if he was speaking of Disappointment Blvd.
A24 has signed on to finance and produce Disappointment Blvd. Aster previously worked with the studio on Hereditary and Midsommer, which are his only features to date. Both films earned positive reviews from critics and garnered buzz for their shocking supernatural horror elements. Hereditary premiered in 2018 and became A24’s highest-grossing film worldwide, earning $80 million on just a $10 million budget. The Tony Collette-led film followed a family haunted by mysterious force after the death of their grandmother.
Phoenix has garnered acclaim over the years for his work in The Master, Her, Gladiator, and Walk the Line. The actor received wide-acclaim for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck/Joker in Todd Philips’ re-imaged origin story of the iconic DC character. Despite dividing critics, Joker became the highest-grossing R-rated film in history by making over $1 billion worldwide. It received 11 Oscar nominations, with Phoenix winning his first Best Actor award. Since the film's release, rumors of a potential sequel have swirled. Phillips has previously said he's "open to the idea" and would love to work with Phoenix again.
The Joker star has a busy year in front of him, as he is also slated to play 19th-century French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in Kitbag. Directed by Alien helmer Ridley Scott, the film is being made for Apple TV+ and will mark the first time Phoenix and Scott have worked together since 2000’s Gladiator. According to Deadline, Phoenix will film Aster’s project first since Scott is currently prepping his crime thriller Gucci.
Phoenix will next be seen in Mike Mills’ C’mon C’mon, which was filmed back in 2019. Mills previously directed critically acclaimed movies 20th Century Women, Beginners, and Thumbsucker. His upcoming Indie follows an artist (Phoenix) who forms a bond with his nephew over a cross-country trip.
Disappointment Blvd.’s release date hasn’t been announced.
Source: Deadline