Top line
Production on director Todd Haynes’ upcoming gay romance drama will reportedly not proceed after star Joaquin Phoenix abruptly left the project less than a week before filming was due to begin, posing a “danger” as losses could exceed seven figures and crew members still need to be paid, Variety reported.
According to reports, Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of the film just days before filming began. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / … (+)
Key data
IndieWire first reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources, that Phoenix had dropped out of the project just five days before filming was scheduled to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico, and was unlikely to return.
The exact circumstances of his departure are unknown, but a source close to the production, according to Variety, said Phoenix got “cold feet,” while Deadline reported that Phoenix “stormed off” the set two weeks ago.
Deadline reported that the film is “dead and not on hiatus” as there are no plans to recast Phoenix’s role.
Phoenix’s abrupt exit could result in seven-figure losses, Variety reported, as crew members who had already built sets in Mexico and people involved in the film must be paid.
Forbes has contacted representatives from Phoenix and M2K Films for comment.
Which movie did Phoenix quit?
The film was yet to be titled, but it was reportedly going to be a gay romantic drama centered around two men in the 1930s. The two men, one a Native American and the other a corrupt cop, become lovers and reportedly flee from Los Angeles to Mexico. Haynes previously said the film contains “explicit sexual content” and is intended to “challenge” viewers with its strong sexual elements. Danny Ramirez, who starred in “Top Gun: Maverick,” has been cast as Phoenix’s lover. Haynes revealed that he worked on the project last year and that he, Phoenix and Jonathan Raymond developed the story.
Surprising fact
Haynes had said that “the whole experience was instigated by Joaquin,” and indicated that the actor had championed the film’s explicit content. “Joaquin kept pushing me and said ‘no, let’s go further,'” Haynes told IndieWire last year, adding that the sexual content was enough to likely give the film an NC-17 rating. Variety reported that the crew speculated that the sexual content was the reason for Phoenix’s exit, but sources told Variety that they doubted that theory because he championed the project’s explicit content.
Important background
The film would have been Haynes’ first release since his Oscar-nominated “May December,” which hit Netflix last year. Haynes is known for films with queer themes, including “Poison” (1991), “Velvet Goldmine” (1996) and the 2015 romantic drama “Carol,” which starred Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, Phoenix’s partner. Phoenix most recently starred in the 2023 films “Napoleon” and “Beau is Afraid.”
What you should pay attention to
Phoenix’s next film, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” will be released in October after premiering at the Venice International Film Festival. Phoenix won an Oscar for his role in the first “Joker” film.
More information
Todd Haynes’ gay love pic with Joaquin Phoenix stalls as actor leaves set (Deadline)
Joaquin Phoenix abandons Todd Haynes’ gay romance just five days before filming begins (Variety)
Venice Film Festival program: “Joker 2” with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, “Maria” by Angelina Jolie and “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino with Daniel Craig as the lead actor (Variety)
