Joaquin Phoenix’s Abrupt Departure From Film Reportedly Leaves Project In ‘Peril’

Forbes Business Breaking Joaquin Phoenix’s Abrupt Departure From Film Reportedly Leaves Project In ‘Peril’ Conor Murray Forbes Staff Murray is a Forbes news reporter covering entertainment trends. Following Aug 9, 2024, 03:11pm EDT Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Production on director Todd Haynes’ upcoming gay romantic drama film will reportedly
Joaquin Phoenix’s Abrupt Departure From Film Reportedly Leaves Project In ‘Peril’

Joaquin Phoenix’s Abrupt Departure From Film Reportedly Leaves Project In ‘Peril’

Following

Topline

Production on director Todd Haynes’ upcoming gay romantic drama film will reportedly not move forward after star Joaquin Phoenix abruptly departed the project less than a week before shooting, sparking “peril” as losses could exceed seven figures and crew members still need to be paid, Variety reported.

Key Facts

IndieWire first reported Friday, citing unnamed sources, that Phoenix had dropped out of the project just five days before filming was set to start in Guadalajara, Mexico, and is not expected to return.

Though the exact circumstances of his departure are unknown, a source Variety said is close to production said Phoenix got “cold feet,” while Deadline reported Phoenix had “stormed off” the set two weeks ago.

Deadline reported the film is “dead, and not paused,” because there are no plans to recast Phoenix’s role.

Phoenix’s abrupt exit could lead to losses exceeding seven figures, Variety reported, as crew members who had already built sets in Mexico, as well as stakeholders in the film, need to be paid.

Forbes has reached out to representatives for Phoenix and M2K Films for comment.


What Film Did Phoenix Drop Out Of?

The film did not yet have a title, but it was reportedly set to be a romantic gay drama that centered on two men in the 1930s. The two men, one Native American and the other a corrupt police officer, become lovers and reportedly flee from Los Angeles to Mexico. Haynes previously said the film contains “explicit sexual content,” and is supposed to “challenge” the viewer with its strong sexual components. Danny Ramirez, who starred in “Top Gun: Maverick,” was cast as Phoenix’s love interest. Haynes revealed that he was working on the project last year and that he, Phoenix and Jonathan Raymond had developed the story.

Surprising Fact

Haynes had said the “whole experience was prompted by Joaquin,” stating the actor had advocated for the explicit content in the film. “Joaquin was pushing me further and going ‘no, let’s go further,’” Haynes told IndieWire last year, adding the sexual content was enough that the film would likely be rated NC-17. Variety reported the crew speculated the sexual content was the reason for Phoenix’s departure, but sources told Variety they doubted that theory because of his advocacy for the project’s explicit content.

Key Background

The film would have been Haynes’ first release since his Oscar-nominated “May December,” which released on 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 To Watch For

Phoenix’s next movie, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” opens in theaters in October following a premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. Phoenix won an Oscar for his role in the first “Joker” film.

Further Reading

Todd Haynes’ Joaquin Phoenix Gay Romance Pic Not Moving Forward As Actor Exits Set (Deadline)

Joaquin Phoenix Abandons Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Movie, Just Five Days Before Filming (Variety)

Venice Film Festival Lineup: ‘Joker 2’ With Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie’s ‘Maria’ and Luca Guadagnino’s Daniel Craig-Led ‘Queer’ to Debut in Competition (Variety)

Follow me on  TwitterSend me a secure  tip

Conor Murray is a reporter covering trends in entertainment and culture. He is based in Jersey City and joined Forbes in 2022. Murray has covered the messy rollout for Kanye West’s latest album, the Stanley water bottle craze and right-wing backlash against companies deemed “woke.” He previously covered billionaires with the Forbes wealth team and covered pop culture and TikTok trends for NBC News. He graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. Follow Murray for continued coverage of social media trends, celebrity controversies and the movie and music industries. 

“>

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Teachers See ‘A+’ Allies in Harris-Walz Ticket
Read More

Teachers See ‘A+’ Allies in Harris-Walz Ticket

For teacher Kim Mathis, the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket represents "humanity." "Obviously Kamala Harris and Tim Walz understand that the children are our future," Mathis, who works at a private pre-school in Florida, told Newsweek. "For this teacher, this is an A plus. It's a masterpiece pair." In the first 24 hours after Harris announced
‘Let it eat’: Joyce unleashes historic heater to secure 1st career save’Let it eat’: Joyce unleashes historic heater to secure 1st career save
Read More

‘Let it eat’: Joyce unleashes historic heater to secure 1st career save’Let it eat’: Joyce unleashes historic heater to secure 1st career save

'Let it eat': Joyce unleashes historic heater to secure 1st career save 6:25 AM UTC Rhett Bollinger @RhettBollinger Share share-square-620174 ANAHEIM -- Rookie flamethrower Ben Joyce was one strike away from recording his first career save, but there was one problem. He couldn’t hear what catcher Logan O’Hoppe wanted him to throw via his PitchCom
Donald Trump Gives Update on Outdoor Rallies
Read More

Donald Trump Gives Update on Outdoor Rallies

Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump during an outdoor campaign rally earlier this month, the former president gave an update on Saturday on whether he will continue to speak at outdoor rallies. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 when he was shot on stage