Joaquin Phoenix Changes Course On Academy Awards, Says They ‘Helped My Career Tremendously’

Joaquin Phoneix is trying to kiss and make up with the Academy Awards,

The actor, who last month called the awards “bull****,” now is changing his tune just in time for an expected nomination. In an interview with Garry Maddox of The Sydney Morning Herald, Joaquin Phoenix said he actually owes a large part of his career to the Academy Awards.

“I wouldn’t have the career that I have if it weren’t for the Oscars. I haven’t been in a lot of movies that have made a lot of money … and getting nominated for a movie has probably helped my career tremendously,” Phoenix said.

Though he didn’t have kind words for the awards, the Oscars have been particularly good to Phoenix. In 2000 he won for his supporting performance in Gladiator, and then again in 2005 he won for his lead in Walk the Line.

Joaquin Phoenix’s new stance is a far cry from what he told Interview magazine in October:

“I’m just saying that I think it’s bulls—. I think it’s total, utter bulls—, and I don’t want to be a part of it. I don’t believe in it … It’s the stupidest thing in the whole world. It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when ‘Walk the Line’ was going through all the awards stuff and all that. I never want to have that experience again.”

The sudden turnaround could have something to do with impending nominations. Joaquin Phoenix is again in contention for acting’s biggest prize, with insiders seeing his performance in The Master as a lock for a nomination.