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 directed by Todd Haynes (I’m Not There, Carol). Phoenix is heavily involved in the film and wrote the script with Haynes and Jon Raymond. Complete sets had been built. Guadalajara, Mexico, and the film already sold to distributors.
The site reports that the film is now “in jeopardy” and that Phoenix’s role “cannot be recast. ” All crew and stakeholders are waiting to be paid, and the film’s losses may “exceed seven figures. ” Variety discussed that Phoenix might have “cold feet,” but it’s unclear why.
Top Gun: Maverick actor Danny Ramirez was announced as co-star in the film, which is a love story between two men set in the 1930s. Haynes said his intention was for the film to have an NC-17 score and have a particular sexual content.
Separately, 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 without knowing if Haynes’ film 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, was halted on the eve of filming due to issues with its insurance coverage.
Phoenix will then make his presence felt in DC Joker: Folie à Deux, the long-awaited sequel to the 2019 film for which he won an Oscar. Phoenix is also expected to appear in Ari Aster’s Eddington.
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