River Phoenix's Last Movie Gets a Release Date

Film Has Remained Unfinished Since The Actor's Untimely Death in 1993

Nearly 19 years to the day that River Phoenix passed away in October 1993, his final movie will be released. Filming had not been completed when the actor died outside of Johnny Depp's Hollywood night club and the director, George Sluzier, left it unfinished.

Before his OD death, Phoenic was considered one of the most promising actors of his time, wowing both critics and audiences with his performances in hits like "Stand by Me," and "Running on Empty." Leonardo DiCaprio has said that when he was starting out in the business, Phoenix was his hero. The two nearly met on the night of Phoenix' overdose.

"One night, I was at this Halloween party, and he passed me," DiCaprio has shared. "He was beyond pale -- he looked white. Before I got a chance to say hello, he was gone, driving off to the Viper Room, where he fell over and died. That's a lesson."

At one point, it was believed that River's brother, Joaquin Phoenix, would help finish the film by providing voice over work for his late brother. The Phoenix family, however, has denied any involvement wiht the film.

READ: River Phoenix's Last Movie, Dark Blood, Will Be Released

Instead, the film, Dark Blood, which features Phoenix as a loner living on a nuclear testing site, was finished with funding from the Netherlands Film Fund as well as private backers. It will premiere on September 27 at the Netherlands Film Festival.