Last month, actor Joaquin Phoenix made a sudden decision to leave an untitled romance film by Todd Haynes just days before production started, causing a stir in Hollywood and raising the possibility of legal implications.
Phoenix’s sudden departure has not only put the project on hold but also disrupted the lives of the cast and crew, many of whom were already on location in Guadalajara, Mexico when they received the news.
Phoenix, 49, who initially proposed the project to Haynes, co-developed the screenplay with director and writer Jon Raymond. The film, set in the 1930s, was designed to be a unique take on a detective love story between two men, aiming to challenge audiences with its NC-17 rating. Phoenix was known to be pushing the film into more explicit erotic territory, making his exit all the more puzzling.
According to sources, Phoenix’s withdrawal was due to “cold feet,” leaving the film’s future in doubt. “There’s been a huge amount of outrage,” noted one studio executive, reflecting the general industry annoyance. The decision to leave just five days before filming was set to start has put the production in a difficult situation, with sets already built and substantial financial investments made.
This is not the first time Phoenix, known for his method acting and intense preparation, has expressed reluctance before a significant role. He nearly left Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” until certain conditions were met. In an interview with Anderson Cooper for “60 Minutes,” Phoenix admitted that he often feels “petrified” when accepting a role, worrying that he won’t “find the right kind of place to express” his ideas.
The consequences of Phoenix’s decision are substantial. With backing from Killer Films and MK2 Film, the film had already been sold to international distributors, and its failure could result in seven-figure losses. The production team, including co-star Danny Ramirez, known for his roles in “Top Gun” and “Maverick” and set to play Phoenix’s love interest, is now left figuring out their next steps.
While there are discussions of potential legal action against Phoenix, reminiscent of Kim Basinger’s contract breach in the 1993 “Boxing Helena” case, others believe a financial settlement is more probable. One insider predicted that Phoenix might settle for paying a low seven-figure amount, given his substantial earnings from his “Joker” films. “As long as they threaten, he’ll settle. It’s nothing to him,” the source commented.
This controversy arises at a crucial time for Phoenix, who is about to start promoting “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the highly anticipated sequel to his Oscar-winning role as the iconic villain. The promotional tour, however, could be overshadowed by the drama surrounding his departure from Haynes’ film. Despite this, most industry experts believe that Phoenix’s career will not suffer long-term damage. His reserved demeanor and unpredictable behavior, while irksome to some, have not diminished his position as one of Hollywood’s most talented and profitable stars.
Christine Vachon of Killer Films posted the story on Facebook, writing about Phoenix’s withdrawal, “It has been a nightmare…This was HIS project that he brought to US.”
As it stands, the future of the untitled Haynes film is uncertain. With Phoenix’s departure, the project may never be realized. As the dust settles, all eyes are on how the production team and Phoenix handle the fallout.
