Overview

• On July 15 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Phoenix apologized directly to David Letterman and called the 2009 interview “horrible” and “so uncomfortable.”
• He revealed that he had informed Letterman’s producers ahead of time that he would stay in character to provoke a “dangerous” reaction.
• Footage from that awkward appearance was later incorporated into Casey Affleck’s mockumentary I’m Still Here.
• Phoenix reiterated his regret for the stunt and vowed he will never repeat such a performance-driven bit.
• His remarks coincided with his return to the Late Show to promote Ari Aster’s new film Eddington.