Joaquin Phoenix Dropping Out of Gay Romance Movie Was “Tough” for Director

by

As a seasoned movie buff with decades of experiencing the highs and lows of Hollywood, I can’t help but feel a twinge of melancholy when a promising project like Todd Haynes’ gay romance film starring Joaquin Phoenix falls by the wayside. The potential for an intense and powerful love story set in 1930s Los Angeles was palpable, and the involvement of such talented individuals made it a must-watch for many of us eager cinephiles.

It’s disheartening when a movie that seemed destined for greatness, like the upcoming gay romance film by ‘Todd Haynes’, faces a setback. Initially announced in 2023, this film featuring ‘Joaquin Phoenix’ promised an emotional and impactful tale of love. However, just five days before the main filming was due to begin, Phoenix chose to withdraw from the project. It wasn’t until Haynes spoke with Variety at the Marrakech Film Festival that he addressed the fate of this potential masterpiece.

This summer was challenging, but the concept behind the movie and its script could potentially be reborn in a new shape at some point in the future.

As reported by Haynes in 2023, a love story between two men was depicted, set against the backdrop of 1930s Los Angeles. The narrative focused on a morally questionable police officer and his younger Native American companion, who were forced to escape from Mexico. Joining Phoenix in this film will be Danny Ramirez, known for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick”. Notably, the movie was expected to include very graphic sexual content.

The announcement that the Phoenix was no longer involved in the project sparked considerable criticism and bewilderment within the online film community, as reasons for his withdrawal remained unclear. Given that he collaborated with Haynes on the script for the project, it came as a surprise to many when this news emerged; Haynes had shared back in 2023 with IndieWire that they were working together on it.

The upcoming movie was jointly created through an original screenplay I co-developed with Joaquin Phoenix, drawing on his personal concepts. Essentially, we collaborated with him in the role of a scriptwriter. Alongside Jon Raymond, Joaquin and I are credited as the story’s creators.

What Happens When a Movie Project Dies

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the ripple effects when a production grinds to a halt during filming. It’s not just about the artists and creatives who see their dreams deferred – a challenge that’s already immense in this cutthroat world of cinema. The blue-collar workers, the contractors, and skilled tradespeople who work tirelessly behind the scenes, often living paycheck to paycheck, find their livelihoods evaporating as quickly as the smoke from a movie set.

Christine Vachon, the producer, promptly emphasized that Phoenix not only co-wrote the script but also played an active role in production, implying he was well aware of the tasks ahead. During a talk at the San Sebastián Film Festival, she voiced some exasperation about the situation.

To me, it’s tragic that people view Todd Haynes’ time as misspent and don’t consider the movie as the outcome of his years collaborating with Joaquin Phoenix. What’s even more disappointing is that we, as a cultural community, have missed out on another film by Todd Haynes. In my opinion, this is nothing short of criminal.

During this time, Haynes has been appointed as the president of the jury for the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, an event that begins in February.

Read More

2024-12-07 02:02