Joaquin Phoenix has withdrawn from Todd Haynes’ untitled gay romance film just days before production was set to commence in Mexico, Variety has confirmed.
Phoenix, who was intricately involved in the development of the film, had worked closely with Haynes and co-writer Jon Raymond on the screenplay for this detective love story. However, according to sources familiar with the production, Phoenix experienced a change of heart, resulting in his decision to leave the project mere days before shooting was scheduled to begin. The film’s sets in Guadalajara were already completed, making Phoenix’s departure a significant setback.
The film, which was produced by Killer Films and backed by the sales agent MK2 Film, had been sold to international distributors prior to the start of filming. The sudden exit of Phoenix, who was central to the casting, has put the project in jeopardy. Industry insiders indicate that the film may now face considerable difficulties, as recasting Phoenix’s role might be unfeasible. The crew, who had been preparing for the shoot, is now out of work, and the production faces potential financial losses that could exceed seven figures.
Representatives for both Haynes and Phoenix have not yet responded to requests for comment from Variety.
The film was highly anticipated, particularly due to the involvement of Phoenix, whose casting was pivotal to the project. In July, Danny Ramirez joined the cast as Phoenix’s love interest. The project, described by Haynes in a 2023 interview with Variety, was intended to be a “love story between two men set in the ’30s with explicit sexual content.” The film was expected to be rated NC-17, showcasing a relationship designed to challenge audiences.
Speculation among the film’s crew suggests that Phoenix’s departure might be linked to the graphic nature of the film’s sex scenes. However, some sources find this theory puzzling, noting that Phoenix was the driving force behind the project’s development and had initially championed its NC-17 rating.
Haynes had previously discussed the film’s origins, revealing that Phoenix’s initial ideas were the foundation for the screenplay. “The film started with fragments of ideas from Joaquin, which I then shaped into a narrative,” Haynes told Variety in September 2023. “Joaquin was very much pushing the project into more provocative and daring territory.”
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IndieWire was the first to report Phoenix’s exit from the film, following a flurry of rumors circulating on social media. The sudden departure leaves the future of the project uncertain and raises questions about how it will proceed without its key star.
