The sudden exit of Joaquin Phoenix from a yet-to-be-titled Todd Haynes romance film last month, just days before filming was set to start, has caused a stir in Hollywood. This unexpected move has prompted anger among industry insiders and raised the possibility of legal action.
Phoenix’s abrupt departure has not just put the project on hold, but also caused a disruption for the cast and crew, many of whom had already arrived on the set in Guadalajara, Mexico when the news was announced.
The 49-year-old actor, who had initially brought the project to Haynes, co-developed the screenplay with the director and writer Jon Raymond. The film, set in the 1930s, was envisioned as a bold detective romance, which Haynes described as a “love story between two men” with an NC-17 rating to challenge viewers. Phoenix had reportedly been driving the film towards more “steamy erotic territory,” making his sudden departure all the more puzzling.
According to sources, Phoenix’s decision to leave the film, attributed to “cold feet,” has cast doubt on the future of the film. As one studio executive expressed, there has been significant outrage in the industry. The decision to leave just five days before filming was about to begin has left the production in a difficult situation, with sets already constructed and considerable financial investments made.
Phoenix, known for his method acting and intense preparation, has demonstrated hesitations before significant roles in the past. He nearly abandoned Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” unless certain conditions were met. In a “60 Minutes” interview with Anderson Cooper, Phoenix admitted that he often feels “petrified” when accepting a role, worrying about finding the right way to express his ideas.
The impact of Phoenix’s decision is significant. The film, produced by Killer Films and supported by MK2 Film, had already been sold to international distributors, and its failure could result in losses exceeding seven figures. The production team, including Phoenix’s co-star, Danny Ramirez of “Top Gun” and “Maverick,” who was set to play Phoenix’s love interest, is now left figuring out their next steps.
While there has been discussion of possible legal action against Phoenix, with some drawing parallels to Kim Basinger’s breach of contract in the 1993 “Boxing Helena” case, others predict a financial settlement is more probable. An insider suggested that Phoenix might settle for a low seven-figure sum, given his substantial earnings from his “Joker” films.
This controversy arises just as Phoenix is about to start promoting “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the eagerly-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning role as the infamous villain. However, the promotional tour could potentially be overshadowed by the drama surrounding his exit from Haynes’ film. Despite this, many industry experts believe that Phoenix’s career will not suffer long-term damage. His reserved demeanor and unpredictable behavior, though challenging for some, have not lessened his status as one of Hollywood’s most talented and bankable stars.
Christine Vachon from Killer Films shared the story on Facebook, writing about Phoenix’s withdrawal, “It has been a nightmare…This was HIS project that he brought to US.”
Currently, the future of the untitled Haynes film is in doubt. With Phoenix’s exit, the project may never be realized. As the situation unfolds, all attention will be focused on how the production team and Phoenix handle the repercussions.