Five days before filming was getting ready to take place Hollywood star Joaquin Phoenix decided to back out of project.
Reports suggest that Phoenix unexpectedly vacated the set in Guadalajara, Mexico about two weeks ago. This has left the producers in a frenzy, trying to salvage the project from possible disintegration. According to further reports the film was a LGBTQ+ romantic film featuring an NC-17 rating, the Oscar-winning actor, Joaquin Phoenix, finds himself in the eye of the storm, allegedly abandoning the project.
Phoenix’s involvement was a significant factor in securing funding for this 1930s period piece. Now, with him apparently out of the picture, director Todd Haynes and producer Christine Vachon have announced that the film is no longer viable.
“Phoenix reportedly stormed off the set of Haynes’ movie two weeks ago in Guadalajara, Mexico, and producers have since been trying to put the project back together before the production completely died,” reports the far-left Deadline. “Local crew members are due money.”
Vachon defended herself against the backlash in a now-deleted Facebook post, denying the casting mishap was her doing. She disputed the notion that the problem arose from casting a straight man in a gay role, considering that Phoenix pitched the project. Their production company has a strong history of working with the LGBTQ community in various roles.
Interestingly, Phoenix proposed the concept of a 1930s detective movie featuring his character in a same-sex relationship. Phoenix, it is said, pushed for more explicit gay sex scenes, leading to the film receiving an NC-17 rating.
Phoenix’s abrupt departure has sparked speculation, with theories suggesting he may have had second thoughts as the filming date neared due to the graphic nature of the scenes. However, the question remains: why initiate such a project and advocate for increased explicit content if he was apprehensive?
Speculations are buzzing in the entertainment industry about the potential impact of this incident on Phoenix’s reputation, potentially painting him as erratic and unreliable. He may also face legal consequences for potential financial damages and contract breaches.
It was certainly an odd flip-flop.
