Joaquin Phoenix drops out of Todd Haynes’ gay romance five days before filming begins

In a move that surprised nearly everyone involved in the project, Joaquin Phoenix abruptly canceled his role in Todd Haynes’ untitled film, which he had been developing with the director for years, just five days before filming was to begin in Mexico, sources say. Weekly entertainment.

Representatives for Haynes and independent production company Killer Films declined to comment, while representatives for Phoenix did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment. IndieWire was the first outlet to report the news.

Phoenix, who will be seen on the big screen this year in Joker: Foil for Twowas set to play the lead role in the film, which is described as an explicit gay romance set in 1930s Los Angeles and Mexico. Danny Ramirez of Top Shooter: Maverick And Captain America: Brave New World had been cast in a supporting role. Based on Haynes’ previous comments to the press, the story revolved around a corrupt LA cop and a Native American who are forced to flee Los Angeles for Mexico.

Pre-production began months ago, with crews hired in Mexico, including Guadalajara, and more flying in to work on the three-month project. Then, around the time of San Diego Comic-Con in late July, Phoenix dropped out without warning. There are currently no plans to recast the role, meaning the project is in limbo indefinitely and the hired workers are stuck in a sticky situation while everyone figures out how to get paid.

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There are virtually no details about why the Oscar winner pulled out at the last minute. It’s a project Phoenix brought to Haynes about two years ago, and they’ve been developing it together ever since. Jon Raymond, the co-writer of Haynes’ HBO miniseries Mildred Pierceworked with the director and Phoenix on the script. MK2 Films served as international sales agent from France, although EW has learned that the film’s financing was heavily dependent on Phoenix’s involvement.

That film would have been Phoenix’s first gay role on screen. Haynes was open to making the sex scenes as explicit as possible. “Joaquin kept pushing me and said, ‘No, let’s go further,'” the filmmaker told IndieWire in May 2023. “This is going to be an NC-17 film.” Then later last year, he told the same outlet, “The whole experience was inspired by Joaquin. It was inspired by his daring, his desire to break barriers and really get to the uncomfortable parts of that relationship. And yet it felt like a very organic process.”

Haynes is now focusing on another project he has been working on for some time: a limited HBO series adaptation of Trustthe novel by Hernan Diaz. Kate Winslet will play the lead role.