There is no doubt that Joaquin Phoenix is the most sought-after actor of the past decade. After his memorable role as Commodus in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator,” the star set a new standard in acting and became a key player in some of the most unique and high-profile projects.
Last year, Phoenix faced a turbulent period, starring in Ari Aster‘s controversial “Beau Is Afraid” and portraying Napoleon in a film deemed by many critics as one of the worst in the whole history of movies. Just when it seemed that 2024 would see him bask in the anticipated success of “Joker 2,” he has found himself at the center of a major controversy.
His upcoming projects included four highly anticipated titles, but he has recently stepped away from the most prominent one, leaving reasons that appear both unclear and troubling for those involved in the production.
What’s behind Joaquin Phoenix’s decision to leave Todd Haynes’ project?
The project from which Joaquin Phoenix reportedly withdrew just five days before filming was Todd Haynes’ upcoming gay romance film. This picture was first mentioned in May 2022 during the Cannes Film Festival premiere of May December, when Haynes discussed his future projects with IndieWire:
Todd Haynes attends the AFI Awards Luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Source: Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
“The next film is a feature that’s an original script that I developed with Joaquin Phoenix based on some thoughts and ideas he brought to me,” Haynes revealed. “We basically wrote with him as a story writer. It’s a gay love story set in 1930s L.A.”
As time passed, more details emerged, and public interest grew, especially when it became known that Phoenix had proposed elements that made the film very sexually explicit. Furthermore, reports indicated that it was expected to be rated NC-17. However, just as sets were built, distribution sales secured, stakeholders were awaiting payment, and the crew was ready, Phoenix dropped out. According to a close source, he got cold feet.
Many are speculating that this explanation might be a cover-up, as it seems unlikely that Phoenix would be panicked by intimate scenes with a man, especially when he was initially involved in shaping those scenes. Even Haynes had not initially intended for the film to be as explicit as Phoenix’s contributions made it.
There are currently two major rumors about the situation. The first suggests that Phoenix decided to withdraw due to family commitments, specifically the need to spend more time with his newborn child and the demanding press tour for “Joker 2,” which is expected to continue into the next year and is poised to be an Oscar contender.
The second and more widely circulated rumor is that Warner Bros. pressured Phoenix to drop out to ensure he remains focused on promoting “Joker 2”. This would make the “cold feet” excuse a convenient cover to avoid a contentious legal battle with Todd Haynes.
Regardless of the reason, it seems unlikely that Phoenix’s departure is due to discomfort with his acting challenges, particularly since he had proposed them himself. Plus, it’s not like he hasn’t tackled tests of a similar kind before (we’ve all seen “Beau Is Afraid” and are still trying to process it).
It is probable that we will learn more about the real reason behind his exit as the press tour for the second “Joker” installment begins, since he will likely be asked about this topic. We will keep you updated!
