Joaquin Phoenix Backed Out Of Film Gay Romance Five Days Ahead Of Its Shooting Was To Start

Joaquin Phoenix drops out of Todd Haynes’ gay romance just ahead of the days scheduled to begin filming. Now, the movie has been shelved altogether.

Phoenix Never Made To Mexico

Phoenix was originally slated to star in the untitled film as a man fleeing to Mexico with his lover but he drops out five days before the filming in Guadalajara, Mexico. According to IndieWire, He never made it to Mexico and instead exited the project from Los Angeles. Phoenix developed the movie with Haynes and author Jon Raymond. Killer Films was set to produce and MK2 was the sales rep.

Though it’s unclear of isn’t clear why Phoenix’s withdrawal. However, finances were likely a factor as per IndieWire reports. International sales for the movie started before the European Film Market in February. However, the project began to decline in July.

An NC-17 Rated Film 

Insiders told the outlet last year that the film was going to be based in the 1930s with an NC-17 rating which makes it an 18-plus movie.

“Joaquin was pushing me further and going ‘No, let’s go further.’ This will be an NC-17 film. The whole experience was prompted by Joaquin. It was prompted by his daring, his desire to push through barriers and to get into the uncomfortable places about this relationship. And yet it felt like a very organic process,” Haynes said

Vachon Defends The Decision To Cast Phoenix

Deadline reported that Now that Phoenix is out, the film has been canceled and the future of the movie, which was also supposed to star Danny Ramirez, has been uncertain ever since Phoenix left the set. Moreover, the crew members haven’t been paid yet.

Producer Christine Vachon confirmed Phoenix’s exit on Facebook.”A version of this did happen,” she began on Friday, Aug. 9. “It has been a nightmare.”

“And PLEASE — if you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that “that’s what you get for casting a straight actor” –DON’T. This was HIS project that he brought to US– and Killer’s record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (and for those of you who HAVE– know that you are making a terrible situation even worse).” Vachon continued.

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