As Variety confirmed, Joaquin Phoenix has withdrawn from Todd Haynes’ untitled gay novel just days before filming was scheduled to begin in Mexico.
Phoenix, who was closely involved in the film’s development, had worked closely with Haynes and co-writer Jon Raymond on the script for this detective love story. However, according to sources familiar with the production, Phoenix changed his mind and left the project just days before shooting was due to begin. The film’s sets in Guadalajara had already been completed, so Phoenix’s departure was a significant setback.
The film, produced by Killer Films and backed by sales agent MK2 Film, had already been sold to international distributors before shooting began. The sudden exit of Phoenix, who played a key role in the casting, has put the project in jeopardy. Industry insiders suggest that the film could now run into significant difficulties as recasting Phoenix’s role may not be feasible. The crew that had prepared for the shoot is now out of work and the production is facing financial losses that could exceed seven figures.
Representatives for Haynes and Phoenix have not yet responded to Variety’s requests for comment.
The film was highly anticipated, especially due to the involvement of Phoenix, whose casting was crucial to the project. In July, Danny Ramirez joined the cast as Phoenix’s lover. The project, which Haynes described in a 2023 interview with Variety, was set to be a “love story between two men in their 30s with explicit sexual content.” The film was expected to receive an NC-17 rating and depict a relationship designed to challenge audiences.
Speculation within the film’s crew suggests that Phoenix’s departure may have been related to the explicit nature of the film’s sex scenes. However, some sources consider this theory puzzling, pointing out that Phoenix was the driving force behind the project’s development and had originally pushed for the NC-17 rating.
Haynes had previously spoken about the origins of the film, revealing that Phoenix’s original ideas formed the basis for the script. “The film started with fragments of ideas from Joaquin, which I then shaped into a narrative,” Haynes told Variety in September 2023. “Joaquin pushed the project very much in more provocative and daring directions.”
IndieWire was the first to report on Phoenix’s exit from the film after numerous rumors began circulating on social media. The sudden exit leaves the future of the project uncertain and raises questions about how it will continue without its lead star.
