Joaquin Phoenix PETA Commercial Banned From 2013 Oscars

Joaquin Phoenx's new PETA commercial was banned from the Oscars.

The ad sees the Academy Award Nominee submerged in water slowly beginning to lose air. Over the images Phoenix voiceover says "In water, humans drown just as fish suffocate on land. It's slow and painful and frightening. And we do it to more than one trillion fish every year." The commercial ends with a plea for viewers to go Vegan. The organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) told E! that ABC banned the ad because it was too controversial. They stated "Capitalizing on the buzz surrounding Phoenix's critically acclaimed performance in The Master, PETA moved to place the ad during the Academy Awards, but ABC deemed the video to be too political and controversial to run during the broadcast."

The ad was instead placed for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Post Oscar show. ABC has yet to respond to PETA's accusations.

Joaquin Phoenix participated in the ad because he is a vegan. He admitted, "I was 3 years old. To this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish... The animal went from a living, vibrant creature fighting for life to a violent death. I recognized it, as did my brothers and sisters."

Phoenix is currently nominated for his role in "The Master." He previously hit headlines when he stated that he hated awards seasons. He told reporters that he had always found the process uncomfortable. He later retracted and stated that he would not have the career he has if it not for the Oscar nominations he had previously received.

The Academy Awards will be shown worldwide on February 24^th at the Dolby Theatre.