Joaquin Phoenix has finally broken his silence after leaving a film hanging by dropping out five days before it was set to begin filming.
The news was broken by IndieWire, who reported that the actor was no longer set to go ahead with the movie.
This was despite the fact that Phoenix himself played a core part in the creation of the movie.
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The film was set to star the Joker actor alongside Top Gun: Maverick breakout star Danny Ramirez.
Todd Haynes, the creative mind behind May December, which was a major awards contender last year, was set to direct the film.
In an interview with Variety, Ramirez called the film a 'love story between two men set in the ’30s that has explicit sexual content'.
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There was initial speculation that this is what led Phoenix to pull out of the movie, but this has been rebuffed by a report in Variety.
Variety claim that, according to industry sources, this theory does not make sense.
Variety said: "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."
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Speaking about the creation of the film, Todd Haynes told Variety that the film was initially fragmented ideas presented to him by Phoenix, before he turned it into a script.
He went on to say: "Basically it was just this wonderful, organic way to create the script.
"Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually.”
The actor was asked about having dropped out at the press conference for Joker 2 at the Venice Film Festival.
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According to Kyle Buchanan of the New York Times, Phoenix said: "It would just be sharing my opinion and the other creatives aren’t here to share their piece.
"It doesn’t feel like that would be right. I don’t think that would be helpful so I just don’t think I will. Thank you.”
Due to how short notice Phoenix pulling out was, losses are expected to be upwards of seven figures.
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IndieWire have said that, speaking to industry sources, there are multiple key stakeholders who will still be owed compensation for the movie.
The film will not be able to continue on with Ramirez and another actor.
Todd Haynes' representative declined to comment when contacted by LADbible.
Topics: Joaquin Phoenix, Film and TV
Michael Slavin