When Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix announced his retirement from film, the news came as a bit of a shock. When he further stated that he’d be eschewing screen fame for the music industry, it was quite a surprise.

But when we heard him perform, everyone began to wonder if perhaps Phoenix wasn’t as serious as he originally sounded in his statement. Surely a guy with his acting chops can’t hope to survive on bad raps!

Now, new rumors are coming to light in this odd little acting/rapping melodrama. Some say Phoenix is working with Casey Affleck on a documentary which films the actor’s odd behavior (including his Las Vegas performance, which ended with Phoenix falling off the stage).

A source with no name told EW very plainly that Phoenix himself stated, “It’s a put-on.” As in, one big hoax.

Is it?