The recent news that Joaquin Phoenix, one of the most respected and versatile actors of his generation, has dropped out of Todd Haynes’ upcoming film just five days before shooting was set to begin has sent shockwaves through the film industry.
This decision, which has left many in the film world baffled, not only puts a long-anticipated project on hold, but also raises questions about the future of the collaboration between Phoenix and Todd Haynes.
What do we know about Todd Haynes’ next film?
Todd Haynes’ new film, whose title has not yet been revealed, had generated great expectations, not only because of the director’s reputation, but also because of the participation of Joaquin Phoenix.
The film, described as a gay romance set in 1930s Los Angeles, promised to be a bold and intense exploration of themes of homosexuality and repression at a time when such topics were deeply taboo.
Haynes, known for films such as Carol and Far from Heaven, had co-written the script with Phoenix and frequent Kelly Reichardt collaborator Jon Raymond. The film was set to be one of Haynes’ most graphic and provocative, destined to receive an NC-17 rating due to its explicit love scenes.
Filming was scheduled to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, and a production crew had already been assembled on location when Phoenix announced his departure, leaving the project in limbo.
¿Why did Joaquin Phoenix leave filming just 5 days before it started?
Phoenix’s departure from the project has been a devastating blow to the production, as he was not only set to star in the film, but had also been a driving force in its development from the beginning.
According to IndieWire, sources close to the project said that Phoenix was the one who proposed the initial idea to Haynes and was deeply involved in the creation of the script, pushing for the film to push the boundaries of what had been seen in cinema until now. Haynes has stated in interviews that Phoenix’s intensity and commitment were fundamental in shaping the vision of the project.
While the specific reasons for his departure have not been made public, there is speculation that it could be related to creative differences or potential scheduling conflicts. Phoenix is well known to be an extremely meticulous and committed actor when it comes to his projects, and his withdrawal from such an advanced project suggests that there was a significant disagreement that could not be resolved.
Phoenix’s decision to abandon the project so close to the start of filming has left the production in a difficult position, with multiple investors and crew members still needing to be compensated for their time and effort.
‘IndieWire’ has reached out to representatives for Joaquin Phoenix and Killer Films. Killer Films’ representatives have not yet commented.
What do we know about ‘Joker 2’, Joaquin Phoenix’s next film?
Meanwhile, Joaquin Phoenix is moving forward with other projects, with Joker: Folie à Deux being the most notable of them. This sequel to Joker – 91%, which earned Phoenix an Oscar for his portrayal of the disturbed Arthur Fleck, is one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Directed again by Todd Phillips, the film ventures into new territory as a psychological musical, with Lady Gaga joining the cast as Harley Quinn, Fleck’s love interest.
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ picks up two years after the events of the first film, with Arthur Fleck now hospitalized at Arkham State Hospital. The plot will follow the relationship between Fleck and Lee, a music therapist played by Gaga, as the two spiral into musical madness that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
With a significantly larger budget than its predecessor and a narrative that promises to be even bolder, the film is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2024, before being released in theaters in October of the same year.
