It was claimed that Joaquin Phoenix had dropped out of his upcoming gay romance just days before filming began in Mexico.
The 49-year-old, who is preparing for the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux,” stepped in for the untitled film last year.
The “detective love story” is set in LA in the 1930s. Todd Haynes directed the film, and Danny Ramirez later joined the cast as Joaquin’s lover.
However, chaos broke out when there were claims that the main star had dropped out.
An insider told Variety he got “cold feet” despite developing the script with filmmaker and writer Jon Raymond.
According to the outlet, the project – which currently has no title – depends on the casting of Joaquin, and his role cannot be “recast.”
The cast and crew are reportedly currently unemployed and Metro.de understands that the film will not be continued.
Todd, who was behind May December, Carol and Dark Waters, announced his plans at the Cannes Film Festival last year.
At the time, he explained that he developed the script together with Joaquin after the Oscar winner shared with him “some thoughts and ideas.”
“Basically, we wrote with him as story writer,” he told IndieWire, adding that the pair share story credits with Jon.
“We hope to start shooting early next year,” he said. “It’s a gay love story set in 1930s Los Angeles.”
“Basically, it was just this wonderful, organic way of writing the script,” he added to Variety. “And Joaquin made it even more sexually dangerous.”
Neither of them has commented publicly on the withdrawal demands.
Joaquin will return to the big screen in the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker, alongside Zazie Beatz and newcomer Lady Gaga – who stars as Harley Quinn.
“Folie à Deux” premieres in theaters on October 4th and is described as a jukebox musical with at least 15 cover songs.
The plot was largely kept under wraps, but the trailer showed the development of a close bond between the superhero villain and Harley Quinn.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Joaquin and Todd for comment.
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