Joaquin Phoenix Denies Involvement in Late Brother River’s Final Film

(LOS ANGELES) -- Following reports of a movie featuring the late actor River Phoenix being finalized, his family -- including his brother Joaquin Phoenix -- has denied any involvement, reports Deadline Hollywood. River died of a drug-related heart attack at the age of 23 in front of the Viper Room in West Hollywood in 1993 at the time he was shooting the film Dark Blood. Director George Sluizer said this week he was re-editing the footage for a release next year and would complete the story using a voice-over from Joaquin. A spokesperson for the actor's family said, “Despite George Sluizer’s claim that he had been communicating with River Phoenix’s family in regard to releasing River’s last film, Joaquin Phoenix and his family have not been in communication with the director nor will they participate in any way.”

Source: WTMA