Joaquin Phoenix could potentially get into legal trouble because of his exit from Todd Haynes’ still untitled same-sex romance drama film five days before production was set to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico. The celebrated actor’s decision sparked a huge outcry on social media and beyond. And now it seems it could have legal consequences.
Joaquin Phoenix causes ‘outrage’ after leaving Todd Haynes’ film
When it was announced earlier this month that Phoenix had dropped out of Todd Haynes’ film, it sparked a huge outcry. Phoenix’s decision potentially threatens the livelihoods of those involved in the film. According to an article in the Hollywood Reporter, people in the industry are unhappy with the turn of events. Some are even calling for legal action against the Joker actor.
The above source reported that the film will be an “intense gay romance” set in the 1930s. It cited several sources who claimed that Phoenix got cold feet as the start of filming approached. The source also mentioned that the details of Phoenix’s reasons for dropping out are unclear.
Christine Vachon of Killer Films, the production company behind the film, addressed Phoenix’s departure. “Some version of this actually happened,” she wrote in a Facebook post that has since been deleted or made private. “It was a nightmare.” She also mentioned that the idea for the film came from Phoenix after she asked people not to criticize her for casting a straight actor. “And PLEASE – if you’re tempted to wag your finger or admonish us that ‘this is what happens when you cast a straight actor’ – DON’T,” she explained. “This was HIS project to bring to the U.S. – and Killer’s track record of working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (And for those of you who have – know you’re making a terrible situation worse.)” (via People)
During the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Haynes told IndieWire that Phoenix brought him the story and he and Jon Raymond shared story credits with the actor. He even mentioned that Phoenix really wanted to push boundaries and develop the project as an NC-17 film.
According to several reports, this is not the first time Phoenix has done something like this. He is said to have threatened to leave Ridley Scott’s Napoleon if Paul Thomas Anderson, who worked with him on The Master, was not allowed to make script rewrites.
