Joaquin Phoenix has finally broken his silence after stepping out of a film five days before it was scheduled to begin filming.
IndieWire broke the news, reporting that the actor’s participation in the film was no longer planned.
This was despite the fact that Phoenix was heavily involved in the film’s development.
The Joker actor was slated to co-star with Danny Ramirez, the breakout star of Top Gun: Maverick.
Todd Haynes, the director of May December, a top awards contender last year, was supposed to helm the project.
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In an interview with Variety, Ramirez described the picture as a ‘love story between two men set in the 1930s with intense sexual elements’.
There was initial conjecture that this was the reason Phoenix dropped out of the film, but Variety reports that this is not the case.
Variety claims that this theory does not make sense, citing industry sources.
The report continued: “That theory is confusing to some sources, who reiterate that it was Phoenix who brought the project – and its NC-17 concept – to Haynes in the first place.”
READ MORE: While Filming The ‘Joker’ Sequel, Joaquin Phoenix Wanders The Streets Of New York City In Character
Todd Haynes informed Variety that the film began as fragmented ideas handed to him by Phoenix, which he then put into a script.
He went on to say: “Basically, it was simply this amazing, spontaneous method to write the script.
“Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually.”
At the Joker 2 press conference at the Venice Film Festival, the actor was asked about his decision to pull out.
According to Kyle Buchanan of the New York Times, Phoenix stated: “It would simply be sharing my viewpoint, and the other creatives aren’t here to share theirs.
“That doesn’t feel right. I don’t think that would be helpful, so I won’t do it. “Thank you.”
Due to Phoenix’s departure on such short notice, losses are estimated to be in the seven figures.
According to IndieWire, based on industry sources, numerous important players will still be owed remuneration for the film.
The film cannot proceed with Ramirez and another actor.
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