Joaquin Phoenix Departs New Movie Days Before Shooting, Production Canceled
It is never fun to be left holding the bag, just ask Todd Haynes. The Carol director learned firsthand that powerful acting talents can sometimes be extremely volatile after Joaquin Phoenix exited the production of their latest project just days before shooting was slated to begin. Haynes and Phoenix had teamed up to write an intense gay romance film in which Phoenix would also star, but the project is now dead in the water.
A Little Late To Quit
It has been reported that Phoenix was already on set for the untitled film in Mexico as he prepared for the shoot. However, for reasons that have yet to be disclosed, Phoenix abruptly stormed off the set and subsequently left the country, leaving the production entirely.
This comes after entire sets for the project had already been built, creating the possibility for tremendous financial losses for the production and unrecoverable lost wages for the cast and crew.
No Recasting
According to Deadline, the film is now officially cancelled after news that Joaquin Phoenix’s role will not be recast. Producers had been hard at work over the last few weeks attempting to salvage the production, but it appears it is now well beyond the point of no return. Sources have also confirmed that the film’s finances were directly tied to Phoenix’s casting.
Joaquin’s Always Joa-quing Into Trouble
Joaquin Phoenix isn’t exactly a stranger when it comes to erratic behavior on and off the set. The actor has built up quite a reputation as someone who is prone to walking off sets in the middle of filming.
He has also butted heads with crew members in the past, most recently with cinematographer Lawrence Sher on the set of Joker.
But Phoenix’s most head-turning moment came when he initially announced his “retirement” from the acting world in 2008 in order to pursue his blossoming career as a hip-hop artist.
That was eventually revealed to just have been an elaborate ruse as part of the development of the 2010 mockumentary I’m Still Here. The film faced a mixed reception from critics and audiences, with many unsure of how to interpret the movie.
Still A Stunning Talent
Despite his propensity for creating an array of perplexing moments, Joaquin Phoenix’s talent as an actor has never been in question. The 49-year-old actor has been nominated for an Oscar four times in his career for his work in both lead and supporting roles.
In 2020, Phoenix took home the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his depiction of the chaotic Arthur Fleck in Joker.
The Cancelled Film
With Phoenix’s immense talent for acting, it made perfect sense when he joined forces with Haynes to develop a film. Haynes has built a strong career with films that have explored the topics of homosexuality and other social issues.
His 2002 film Far From Heaven starring Julianne Moore was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay, which explored racial tensions in a 1950s Connecticut neighborhood.
In Phoenix and Haynes’ now canceled film, the story would have followed two men who engage in an intense romantic relationship, taking them from California to Mexico. The film is reported to have been prepared to shoot for an NC-17 film rating, pushing boundaries for mainstream Hollywood cinema.
