After the defection of Joaquin Phoenix for Todd Haynes’ gay romance, this actor would like to replace him.
While Joaquin Phoenix is starring in Joker: Folie à Deuxwho is well on his way to ending up in an intergalactic flop, his escapades on the set of Todd Haynes’ gay romance (May December) continue to have serious consequences.
Quick reminder of the facts: at the beginning of July 2024, Todd Haynes was going to start filming his detective romance about a couple of men (Phoenix and Danny Ramirez) fleeing to Mexico. But Joaquin Phoenix left the project overnight, crashing the entire film crew, and turning the project into a nightmare.
His departure was a death blow for the film. An attitude that the film producer described as “criminal”. The production had not even looked for a replacement, and the financial loss for the studio could amount to several million dollars (not to mention the moral impact on the teams). When all seems lost for good, an actor volunteered to take over the role of Phoenix.
Wolfgang Amadeus Joaquin Phoenix
Interviewed by Variety for the promotion of Salem’s Lot (and a little for Thunderbolts also as long as possible), actor Lewis Pullman said he was ready to reprise the role abandoned by Joaquin Phoenix. An idea slipped during the interview by journalist Marc Malkin. Lewis Pullman would thus join Danny Ramirez in the casting, knowing that the two actors had already worked together for Top Gun : Maverick. The proposition immediately excited the actor.
“I would love to get that call. It’s a brilliant idea. I am here. I am here. I’m ready. »
Despite Lewis Pullman’s enthusiasm, Todd Haynes’ project seems to be on hold, and probably for good. While it is impossible to know exactly the amount of damage caused by Phoenix’s departure, Christine Vachon, the producer in charge of the project, warned of the repercussions that such an act could have on the entertainment industry:
“One of the other tragedies with the Phoenix project was that we had fantastic partners who were willing to take risks with us. […] When something like this happens, it sends shockwaves through the industry. With a company like Killer, a star like Joaquin, a director like Todd, if it collapses at the finish line, then how can you take a risk on a first film or with an actor just starting out? »
The reasons for Joaquin Phoenix’s departure remain mysterious. Variety explained this summer that the actor would have been afraid when starting the filming of the film, because of the explicit (and gay) sex scenes. Asked about the subject in Venice, Phoenix kicked in.
“If I respond, I’m just going to share my opinion from my perspective, and other people aren’t there to give theirs, and I just feel like that wouldn’t be right. I don’t know how that would be useful.«
According to The Hollywood Reporterthe production company could sue Joaquin Phoenix and demand damages amounting to several million dollars. Since the actor’s salary for Joker 2 is worth 25 million dollars, he must really care less. Todd Haynes’ project appears dead and buried.
Related News :