Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix walked out of his new movie, just five days before filming was to begin, amid a rumor that the actor was “insensitive. “
Variety reports that Phoenix has dropped out of the film, an untitled gay romance film by Todd Haynes (I’m Not There, Carol). Phoenix is heavily involved in the film, writing the script with Haynes and Jon Raymond. Complete sets had been built in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the film has already been sold to distributors.
The site reports that the film is now “in jeopardy” and that Phoenix’s role “cannot be restructured. “The entire crew and stakeholders are waiting to get paid, and the film’s losses can “exceed seven figures. “Variety discussed that Phoenix might have “cold feet,” but it’s unclear why.
On August 14, The Hollywood Reporter published an article about the aftermath. He quotes an unnamed studio executive who said, “There’s been a lot of outrage” about the setting in Phoenix. After all, it was Phoenix himself who brought the film to Haynes in the first place.
Phoenix could now face legal consequences, according to the report. “According to multiple sources, Phoenix was scared before production, the reasons are still unclear,” the publication says.
The report adds that Phoenix is known to be this way, as he allegedly threatened to leave Ridley Scott’s Napoleon unless Paul Thomas Anderson was hired to do the rewrites.
“According to sources, some manufacturers have talked in passing about the possibility of scrapping Phoenix due to Haynes’ departure, but most acknowledge that that’s unrealistic, especially since Joker 2 is expected to. . . is a success,” The Hollywood Reporter said.
An agent involved in the Phoenix/Haynes situation said Phoenix probably wouldn’t face any real consequences for leaving the film. The source predicted that Phoenix would pay a seven-figure sum to cover costs related to his abrupt exit from the film.
“As long as they threaten, he will comply. He doesn’t care,” the user stated.
Top Gun: Maverick actor Danny Ramirez has been announced as co-star of the film, which tells a love story between two men set in the 1930s. Haynes said he was looking for the film to have an NC-17 rating and feature content particular sexual .
Additionally, Deadline reported that Phoenix “left the set” at the end of July. The report also mentions how Ramirez flew to San Diego for Comic-Con not knowing if the Haynes movie would be made.
This is rarely the first time a movie starring Phoenix has been stopped right before filming begins. In 2023, the independent film The Island starring Phoenix and Rooney Mara closes on the eve of filming due to disruptions to its insurance coverage.
Phoenix will next make his presence felt in the DC film Joker: Folie à Deux, the long-awaited sequel to the 2019 film for which he won an Oscar. Phoenix will also appear in Ari Aster’s Eddington.
Do you have any or would you like to touch us directly? Email @gamespot. com
Use your keyboard!
Log in to comment