18 years after the actor's sudden death, River Phoenix's final film. Dark Blood, looks set to see the light of day...
It’s almost 18 years since River Phoenix died outside the Viper Room in Los Angeles at the age of 23. His death cut short a career that showed an incredible amount of promise, based on the projects that the actor had already appeared in.
It now seems, though, that audiences will finally get to see the actor’s final film, Dark Blood. Its director, George Sluizer, has confirmed that he intends to finish the film by re-editing it, and adding a new voiceover. The plan is then to release it next year.
It’s certainly an interesting piece of news, and it’s curious why the director would decide to complete the film after all these years. That said, it appears there are some legal issues surrounding the film, and Dutch production company Eyeworks has come on board to help deal with that, and thus free up Sluizer to complete the movie.
Dark Blood sees Phoenix playing a hermit anticipating the end of the world, whilst living on a nuclear test site. His solitary existence is interrupted when a couple (played by Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis) stumble upon him when seeking shelter, and Phoenix’s character, known simply as The Boy, begins a troubled relationship with Davis'.
Sluizer intends for Joaquin Phoenix to complete the voiceover work started by his brother almost two decades ago. It's a logical choice, given the similarities between their voices and the fact that the director has kept close contact with the family.
More news on Dark Blood when we get it, although the title may change before the release given the continual legal issues surrounding the project.
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