Joaquin Phoenix has exited Todd Haynes‘ planned romantic drama feature, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The untitled project is no longer moving forward after the actor dropped out just five days before filming was set to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico. The role will not be recast for the movie that Phoenix had initially brought to Haynes and developed with the Oscar-nominated filmmaker.
Haynes’ movie was set to focus on an intense gay romance in the 1930s and co-star Danny Ramirez, whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick and the forthcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler were onboard as producers for the Killer Films project that had MK2 Film handling sales.
An insider close to production tells THR that the movie’s team is “devastated” and that the amount of money spent on the film was in the low seven figures. The source does not dispute media reports of Phoenix having gotten cold feet but also did not share more specifics on the reason given for his exit.
THR has reached out to Phoenix’s team for comment.
Haynes most recently helmed last year’s Netflix title May December, which starred Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman and earned an Oscar nomination for its screenplay. His previous features include Far From Heaven, I’m Not There and Carol, with the latter co-starring Phoenix’s longtime partner, Rooney Mara. Haynes received an Oscar nom for his screenplay for 2002’s Far From Heaven.
Phoenix can next be seen opposite Lady Gaga in director Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux. Hitting theaters Oct. 4, the Warner Bros. movie is a follow-up to the 2019 film Joker, which earned Phoenix an Oscar.
The actor’s recent credits include Napoleon, Beau Is Afraid and C’mon C’mon. He is set to co-star alongside Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler in the feature Eddington from Beau Is Afraid filmmaker Ari Aster.
IndieWire was first to report the news of Phoenix’s departure.
Aug. 9, 4 p.m. Updated with additional information about the situation, including the financials.
Rebecca Keegan contributed to this report.
