One of the film’s producers is referring to Joaquin Phoenix’s sudden departure from an untitled gay romantic drama as a “nightmare.” Christine Vachon indirectly acknowledged Phoenix’s exit from the NC-17-rated movie in a since-deleted Facebook post that The Hollywood Reporter examined. Phoenix’s departure became public on Friday, just five days before the movie was scheduled to begin production in Guadalajara, Mexico.
THR reports that the endeavour is no longer underway as a result of Phoenix’s departure.Vachon, whose production firm Killer Films was involved in the movie, verified the rumours over the weekend when she posted an item on Facebook about Phoenix quitting the project and stated, “A version of this did happen. It has been a nightmare.”
The “Joker” star’s motives behind abandoning the project have not been disclosed by Phoenix or the film’s crew, which includes director Todd Haynes. However, an insider associated with the production informed Variety that the actor experienced “cold feet.”
The publication reported that Phoenix, who originally introduced the project to Haynes, wouldn’t be able to recast his part in the film and that the unsuccessful venture may lose up to seven figures in investor money.
Vachon responded to the flak the film received for having a straight guy play the titular character in a homosexual romance set in the 1930s in a Facebook post. Phoenix was supposed to play the lead role opposite Danny Ramirez in “Top Gun: Maverick.”
“If you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that ‘that’s what you get for casting a straight actor’ — DON’T,” she wrote. “This was HIS project that he brought to US — and Killer’s record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (and for those of you who HAVE — know that you are making a terrible situation even worse),” she added.
Phoenix had a significant role in the making of the film, according to Haynes, who frequently examines the nuanced aspects of gender and sexuality in his works. During the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the director shared with IndieWire that “We basically wrote with him as a story writer. Joaquin was pushing me further and going, ‘No, let’s go further — this will be an NC-17 film.’”
Phoenix and Lady Gaga will next be seen together in Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The movie is scheduled to be released in October.