Joaquin Phoenix Dropped Out of Todd Haynes’ Gay Movie Just Five Days Before Shooting, Leading to the Project’s Cancelation

As a long-time admirer of Joaquin Phoenix‘s extraordinary talent and unparalleled versatility, I must admit that his recent decision to withdraw from Todd Haynes’ upcoming gay period drama has left me both intrigued and disheartened.


As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve always admired the exceptional talent of actors like Joaquin Phoenix. Known for his versatility and ability to tackle intricate roles, he truly stands out among his peers. His acting prowess is indeed something to marvel at, with an Oscar as a testament to his skills. He brought Arthur Fleck to life in Todd Phillips’ Joker, a performance that earned him the prestigious Academy Award. This year, we can look forward to the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, hitting the silver screen. I can hardly wait!

However, it’s worth noting that Phoenix isn’t just intriguing on-screen; his off-screen persona is also layered and has been the subject of many media discussions. Although specifics about his latest move remain elusive, we can confirm that this choice of his resulted in the termination of a potentially significant project.

Specifically, Phoenix had been chosen for a yet-unnamed Todd Haynes movie about the LGBTQ+ community during the 1930s. However, in July, Phoenix decided to withdraw from the production, leaving only four days before filming was due to commence in Mexico. Consequently, the project was either postponed or, if you prefer a more positive outlook, temporarily halted.

Regarding the upcoming project, there’s not a lot we have solid information on. However, we do know that following his Oscar-nominated film “May December,” Haynes planned to work on another project. This project reportedly had Johnny Depp heavily involved and driving its development. It was speculated to be an NC-17 rated film due to the explicit nature of the gay detective drama, as confirmed by Haynes himself. Additionally, it appears that Depp also played a role in the scriptwriting process for this project.

As a screenwriter with a passion for creating unique narratives, I can’t help but feel thrilled about my latest project that I developed alongside the talented Joaquin Phoenix. Drawing from his thought-provoking ideas, we collaborated to craft a story that is truly our own. Working closely together, we wrote this script with Joaquin as a co-writer, and it’s a testament to the power of collaboration.

Source: IndieWire

However, in July, only five days before filming was set to begin in Mexico, where the team had already assembled, there was unexpected news from the USA: Joaquin Phoenix had withdrawn from the project. Neither Phoenix nor Killer Films, the production company, have issued an official statement about this development, but it’s certainly unexpected given that Haynes mentioned Phoenix was deeply invested in the film.

As a gamer, I’ve learned to adapt when plans change. Unfortunately, it seems like the movie project by Haynes is shifting gears, with him diving into his next adventure. This move has left the cast and crew scrambling for financial compensation as the production was heavily reliant on Phoenix’s involvement.

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2024-08-10 16:44