Sep 5
Joaquin Phoenix Addresses Leaving Todd Haynes Flick During 'Joker 2' Press Conference
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Inquiring minds finally have an answer why Joaquin Phoenix walked off of Todd Haynes' untitled gay romance flick... sort of.
During a Venice Film Festival presser for "Joker: Folie à Deux," Phoenix was asked to comment about his decision to leave the production, and he gave a cryptic non-answer answer to the question, IndieWire reported.
"If I do [answer that question], I'll just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren't here to say their piece," said Phoenix. He added, "And it just doesn't feel like that would be right. I am not sure how that would be helpful. I don't think I will."
When news about Phoenix walking off the set first broke, there were rumors about Phoenix and Haynes disagreeing over the direction of the story, with Jon Raymond developing the script alongside Phoenix and Haynes.
According to a rough outline of the film's synopsis, the movie follows two men who experience an intense relationship that causes them to leave California for Mexico.
Then reports surfaced that Phoenix got cold feet over the film's intended NC-17-level sex scenes, and Pedro Pascal was floated as a potential replacement for Phoenix.
Moreover, Phoenix's exit reportedly left the production team stranded and scrambling near the Southwestern coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, where the production was planned to be filmed.
Whatever Phoenix's reasons for his exit, he is keeping them close to his chest for now and focusing on the promo for "Folie à Deux," which also stars Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
Haynes' project is currently on hold until it finds another leading man.
