EXCLUSIVE: Balding and barefoot Joaquin Phoenix looks unrecognizable as he transforms into the lead character on set of upcoming Ari Aster film, 'Disappointment Blvd.'

Joaquin Phoenix was unrecognizable as he was spotted getting into character on the set of upcoming Ari Aster film, Disappointment Blvd. 

The Oscar-winning actor - who is known for drastically changing his appearance for movie roles - was seen sporting a dramatic new look while filming in downtown Montreal on Monday, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show.  

With a gray and thinning hairline and a paunchy middle, the 46-year-old appeared to be portraying an older, troubled character. 

Joaquin Phoenix unveiled an older and more portly appearance as he transformed into his character on the set of upcoming Ari Aster film Disappointment Blvd. on Monday 

The Oscar-winning actor - who is known for drastically changing his appearance for dramatic film roles - was seen flaunting a gray and thinning hairline 

Earlier this year Phoenix was reported to have been cast in the lead role in the Ari Aster film, which has already drawn considerable buzz 

Barefoot and wearing nothing but baggy beige pants, the vegan actor looked disheveled as he shot a scene on a block of Sainte-Catherine St. 

As the cameras rolled, his character was seen running out onto the road to confront a naked homeless man nearby. 

Sources told DailyMail.com the film is expected to shoot for a week on the thoroughfare, which has been transformed to resemble a New York City street. 

Phoenix was reported earlier this year to have been cast as the lead role in the new movie, which began shooting in Canada last month and is expected to wrap in October.    

Details of the film project have been kept under wraps, with the plot only being vaguely described as 'a decades-spanning portrait of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time.' 

The film will also star Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, Parker Posey and Michael Ganolfini, son of the late James Gandolfini. 

Barefoot and wearing nothing but baggy beige pants, the vegan actor looked disheveled as he shot a scene on a block of Sainte-Catherine St

Phoenix is cast as the lead role, however, details of the film project have been kept under wraps 

The sighting comes three years after the Hollywood star was revealed to have developed a 'disorder' after losing 52lbs to play the lead role in 2019 film Joker that would end up winning him an Oscar. 

The film is expected to draw a fair amount of buzz given director Ari Aster's impressive track record and Phoenix's critically acclaimed past performances.  

American filmmaker Aster, 34, wowed critics and movie fans with 2018 horror-drama Hereditary, starring Toni Colette. 

The movie - which dealt with themes of the supernatural - made over $80million on a $10million budget to become indie film company A24's highest-grossing film worldwide. 

Aster's next project was the folk horror film Midsommar that featured a star turn from British actress Florence Pugh, and again saw the filmmaker team up with A24.  

Phoenix took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the title character in Joker in 2019

It made an impressive $48million against a $9million budget and received rapturous praise from critics. 

Unsurprisingly, Aster is once again teaming up with A24 for Disappointment Blvd., his third film, with Lars Knudsen producing under their Square Peg banner.

Meanwhile, Phoenix is considered one of the most respected actor's of his generation, having won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for the psychological thriller, You Were Never Really Here (2017), directed by Lynne Ramsay.

He also took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the title character in Joker in 2019.