Washington, Feb 25 : The mockery of Joaquin Phoenix’s antics at recent award functions, including the Oscars, has been fuelled by the actor himself to collect material for a documentary on public persona, say sources.

Last year, the ‘Walk the Line’ star announced that he was retiring from acting to pursue a life-long dream of being a rapper.

But the 34-year-old star has raised grave health concerns for himself after his recent temper tantrums, bizarre behaviour and unruly appearance.

In a recent appearance on The David Letterman Show, Phoenix spoke in monosyllabic slurs and stuck gum underneath the desk—a gig that was later copied by Ben Stiller
(donning an over-sized scruffy wig and fake beard) at the 2009 Academy Awards on Feb 22.

While presenting the show with Natalie Portman, Stiller chomped loudly on his gum and later stuck it on the podium.

Phoenix was also mocked at the Independent Spirit Awards, when Steve Coonan dressed up as Batman delivered a Christian Bale rant" alongside an actor resembling a highly dishevelled, dribbling Phoenix.

However, a source has revealed that all the laughing directed at the actor-turned-rapper was part of a strategic plan.

"Joaquin wanted this, of course he knew (about the parodies) because it’s all part of a very strategic plan," Fox News quoted a source as saying.

The source added: "He is selling it all as a documentary not about his musical career but the whole issue of public persona. It’s all a big joke and he’s not pursuing rapping seriously no matter what he says. Ben (Stiller) was just going along with the joke that Joaquin started. He wasn’t poking fun at him, there are no hard feelings."

A representative for Phoenix refused to comment on the issue. (ANI)