5 days before filming, Joaquin Phoenix leaves this highly anticipated project
Dramatic turn of events! 5 days before the start of filming, Joaquin Phoenix abruptly left this project, putting this film on a complete standstill. Here’s what we know.
Huge blow for Todd Haynes’ new project! The director, a figure of US independent cinema, with films like Carol or more recently May December, is faced with one of the worst possible scenarios when you are a filmmaker: seeing your leading man leave the project, overnight, a few hours before the start of filming.
As reported DeadlineJoaquin Phoenix abruptly left the project he was supposed to shoot with Todd Haynes this August. As a result, as Deadline indicates, the project is not on hold, but is totally dead! There are no plans to replace Joaquin Phoenix in the cast. Danny Ramirez, known in particular for his role in Top Gun Maverick, was also part of the cast.
Before Joaquin Phoenix’s departure was revealed by Deadline, the project had reportedly been struggling for the past two weeks, a period that culminated in this terrible outcome for the film.
Film producer calls it a “nightmare”
The film’s producer, Christine Vachon (Killer Film), spoke about the situation privately on social media, referring to a “nightmare.
Confirming that a “version“From what was relayed by Deadline was true, the producer wanted to clarify things on suppositions as to the motivations for the actor’s departure. She specifies: “It was HIS project that he brought to US of his own accord.“.
The film, still untitled, was to tell the story of a gay romance in 1930s Los Angeles. Very little information had leaked about the project, apart from the fact that it was a fairly radical project, and wanted as such by Phoenix himself.
In an interview relayed in May 2023, Todd Haynes indicated: “Joaquin was pushing me to go further, saying, ‘No, let’s go further.’ The film will be rated NC-17.For the record, in the United States, this corresponds to a pure and simple ban on spectators aged under 17, whether or not they are accompanied by an adult.
Joaquin Phoenix is expected to star in the highly anticipated sequel to Joker, titled Joker: Madness for Two, in a few weeks. The film will be released on October 2nd. Perhaps additional information about Joaquin Phoenix’s departure will be revealed during the promotion of the film.