Joaquin Phoenix has dropped out of a gay romance film just five days before filming was due to commence in Mexico – after reportedly getting ‘cold feet’ over the project.
THE PRE-PLAN
The Joker star, 49, and Top Gun: Maverick actor Danny Ramirez, 31, were set to play onscreen lovers in the 1930s in Todd Haynes’ untitled film which was to include ‘explicit se-ual content’ – but per Variety – losses on the film could now exceed seven figures after Phoenix’s abrupt departure.
Phoenix developed the screenplay for the detective love story with Haynes and Jon Raymond – with a source saying the actor had trepidation over the project amid rumors he was uncomfortable with the film’s graphic s-x scenes.
The film was set to be rated NC-17 and feature a relationship that will ‘challenge’ audiences.
Entire sets had reportedly been built in Guadalajara before Phoenix exited the film.
WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF PHOENIX’S EXIT
The crew allegedly speculate that Phoenix’s exit was to do with the steamy scenes – although other sources counteract that as Phoenix brought the project to Haynes initially.
READ ALSO – Katie Price is arrested at airport on her RETURN to UK with her head in a bandage after £10,000 facelift
Haynes told Variety in September 2023 that Phoenix began creating the film with ‘fragments of ideas’, adding: ‘Basically it was just this wonderful, organic way to create the script. And Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually.’
The film – produced by Killer Films and backed by MK2 Film- ‘hinged’ on Phoenix’s casting and had already to international distributors.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?
Sources now say Phoenix’s role cannot be recast, the crew is out of work and stakeholders still need paying.
