Joaquin Phoenix Exits Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Film At Last Minute
Joaquin Phoenix has made a surprising exit from Todd Haynes’ untitled romance film just five days before filming was set to kick off in Mexico. According to Variety, the project Phoenix had been deeply involved in from the start is now facing uncertainty.
Why Phoenix Backed Out?
The exact reasons for Phoenix’s sudden departure remain unclear, but there are several speculations. Some reports suggest that Phoenix may have gotten “cold feet” about the explicit nature of the film, despite his history of accepting challenging and provocative roles. Phoenix’s exit has led to the cancellation of the film, as his involvement was crucial for its financial backing and international sales.
Phoenix, along with Haynes and Jon Raymond, had crafted the screenplay for this detective love story. Entire sets were ready in Guadalajara, but Phoenix’s sudden decision to leave has left the production in limbo. The film, produced by Killer Films and backed by MK2 Film, was already sold to international distributors. Now, with Phoenix deemed irreplaceable, the project is at risk, and financial losses could be significant.
Danny Ramirez, known for Top Gun: Maverick, joined the cast in July as Phoenix’s love interest. The film, set in the 1930s, promised to be a bold love story with explicit content, aiming to challenge audiences. Phoenix’s departure has sparked speculation, particularly around the film’s graphic scenes. However, it’s puzzling to some, since Phoenix was instrumental in bringing the NC-17 concept to life.
Haynes shared that the film starter with Phoenix’s “fragments of ideas” which evolved into a full narrative with Raymond’s help. Haynes described the process as “organic” with Phoenix pushing the boundaries of the story.
Christine Vachon of Killer Films expressed her frustration on social media, highlighting the project’s personal significance to Phoenix. With the crew now out of work and the film’s future uncertain, the industry watches closely to see what unfolds.
