“Joaquin has a remarkable ability to immerse himself fully in his roles. His dedication and willingness to go to dark places in his performances are what make him one of the most compelling actors of our time.” — Director Todd Phillips, on Joaquin’s commitment to his role in Joker.
Joaquin Phoenix’s sudden withdrawal from a high-profile gay romance film has reportedly caused significant uproar in Hollywood and may result in legal action. The Oscar-winning actor was set to star in an untitled detective love story, a project he initially brought to director Todd Haynes. However, just five days before production was scheduled to begin, Phoenix unexpectedly decided to exit the film, allegedly due to last-minute anxiety, according to a source cited by Variety.
Speculation among the crew is that Joaquin Phoenix’s exit from Todd Haynes’ gay romance film had to do with the graphic nature of the movie’s sex scenes.
But that theory is confusing to some sources, who reiterate that it was Phoenix who brought the project — and its NC-17… pic.twitter.com/sBCoo2odLP
— Variety (@Variety) August 9, 2024
The production, which had already invested heavily in set construction in Guadalajara, Mexico, was thrown into chaos by Phoenix’s abrupt departure in early July. The decision has left cast and crew members stranded and potentially out of work, and the fallout has sparked backlash from industry professionals, with some insiders hinting at possible legal repercussions.
“There’s been a huge amount of outrage,” an anonymous studio executive told The Hollywood Reporter, suggesting that legal action could be pursued against Phoenix. The actor has a history of experiencing anxiety before starting new projects. For example, during the production of the 2023 biopic “Napoleon,” Phoenix almost backed out, insisting that his trusted collaborator, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, be brought on to rewrite the script.
“There’s no one like him. He’s just a different kind of animal, and his approach to acting is unlike anybody else’s. He takes you into another world.” — Co-star Reese Witherspoon, talking about Joaquin’s performance in Walk the Line.
There is precedent in Hollywood for actors facing legal consequences for abandoning projects mid-production. Notable examples include Kim Basinger, who was sued for breaching a verbal contract to star in “Boxing Helena” in 1993, and Bruce Willis, who was required to fulfill a three-film contract with Disney after leaving the production of “Broadway Brawler.”
THR has confirmed #JoaquinPhoenix has exited #ToddHaynes‘ planned romantic drama feature. The untitled project is no longer moving forward after the actor dropped out just five days before filming was set to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico: https://t.co/5ZwNbASei5 pic.twitter.com/jsmkMJLckn
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 9, 2024
Phoenix’s film, produced by Killer Films and represented by sales agent MK2 Film, had already been sold to international distributors. Variety reports that Phoenix’s role in the movie was so integral that it cannot be easily recast, which could lead to substantial financial losses for the production, potentially exceeding seven figures. Actor Danny Ramirez, known for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” had recently signed on to play Phoenix’s love interest in the film.
The timing of Phoenix’s departure is particularly troubling as it comes just before his scheduled promotional tour for the highly anticipated “Joker” sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The collapse of the Haynes project threatens to overshadow the publicity for the upcoming film.
“Joaquin is one of the most genuine and passionate people I know. He cares deeply about his work, the people around him, and the world at large. It’s what makes him such a powerful artist.” — Actress Rooney Mara, on Joaquin’s influence both on and off the screen.
Phoenix has previously spoken about the intense fear he feels when taking on new roles, admitting in an interview with Anderson Cooper that he often worries about not being able to “find the right kind of place to express” his ideas.
Director Todd Haynes, renowned for his work on queer films like the Oscar-nominated “Carol” (2015) and last year’s “May December,” had first mentioned the project in a 2023 interview with Variety. He described it as a “love story between two men set in the [1930s] that has explicit sexual content.” Haynes added that Phoenix had contributed to pushing the narrative into “more dangerous territory, sexually,” and the film was intended to challenge audiences with its NC-17 rating.
Joaquin Phoenix’s producer for gay romance calls his abrupt exit from film a ‘nightmare’ – but defends ‘casting a straight actor’ https://t.co/fojd2qiIvl pic.twitter.com/OYDExVNo8S
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) August 11, 2024
With Phoenix’s sudden exit, the future of the film remains uncertain, and the incident has stirred considerable controversy within the industry.
Quotes by Joaquin Phoenix:
On Acting and Vulnerability:
“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.” — Joaquin Phoenix, reflecting on his advocacy for animal rights and the interconnectedness of compassion.
On Art and Expression:
“I’ve always loved the idea of performing, of making that connection with an audience, and I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me.” — Joaquin Phoenix, discussing his passion for acting and connecting with audiences.
On His Approach to Roles:
“I think the greatest gift that you can give yourself is being able to truly be yourself and to accept who you are, and also be willing to accept others and celebrate the individuality of everyone.” — Joaquin Phoenix, talking about authenticity in life and art.
On His Joker Role:
“For me, the attraction to make this film and this character was that we were going to approach it in our own way. I didn’t refer to any past iteration of the character… what we were going for was something entirely our own.” — Joaquin Phoenix, explaining his unique approach to portraying the Joker.
On Life Philosophy:
“It’s a lot of work to create something of value, and I think that’s reflected in the appreciation you have for it when you’re finished. It’s rewarding because of the work that goes into it.” — Joaquin Phoenix, sharing his thoughts on hard work and creativity.
Major Points:
- Joaquin Phoenix abruptly withdrew from a highly anticipated gay romance film just days before production, causing significant disruption and outrage in Hollywood.
- The film, directed by Todd Haynes and set to be shot in Guadalajara, Mexico, had already built entire sets and secured international distribution, making Phoenix’s departure particularly damaging.
- Industry insiders suggest that Phoenix’s decision may lead to legal action, given the financial and logistical impact of his exit on the production.
- Phoenix has a history of anxiety before starting new projects, previously nearly backing out of the 2023 biopic “Napoleon” without his trusted collaborator, Paul Thomas Anderson, on board.
- The film’s collapse threatens to overshadow Phoenix’s upcoming promotional tour for the “Joker” sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” and has raised concerns about the future of the project.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
