Chaos Reported as Joaquin Phoenix Bails from Todd Haynes' Gay Romantic Movie

Reports on the status of Todd Haynes' next planned movie paint a picture of chaos as the production faces a complete shutdown, crew members are left unpaid, and losses could run into the millions following star Joaquin Phoenix's sudden departure.

Confirming previous reports that Phoenix had abruptly left the film last month a mere handful of days prior to the start of filming, Variety quoted a source "close to the production" as saying that the renowned actor – star of the 2019 hit "Joker" and the Lady Gaga-costarring "Joker: Folie à Deux," coming to screens in October – had gotten "cold feet" about the film, which reports suggest would have contained some steamy gay content.

"Top Gun" actor Danny Ramirez had been cast opposite Phoenix, with the two actors reportedly set to play lovers who head to Mexico for unknown plot reasons.

"There's speculation among the crew that the exit has to do with the planned NC-17 gay scenes in the film," Vulture reported, "but Phoenix is the one who pitched the 'love story and with a strong sexual component,'" as Haynes previously told Variety.

"'Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually,' Haynes said at the time," Vulture recalled.

Producer Christine Vachon took to Facebook in a since-deleted post that called the actor's departure "a nightmare," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film had stirred controversy from the start, given that Phoenix, a straight actor, was slated to play a gay character. Vachon's now-deleted post seemed intended to get ahead of further controversy on this front, advising readers, "If you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that 'that's what you get for casting a straight actor' – DON'T."

Vachon, THR relayed, went on to explain that it wasn't merely a matter of filling an LGBTQ+ role with a high-profile name.

"This was HIS project that he brought to US," Vachon said of Phoenix, before declaring that the production company, Killer Films, has a "record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors" that "speaks for itself."

It's looking likely that the movie won't be made at all. Deadline reported that the film is now "completely dead" after Phoenix jumped ship.

Deadline added that "there are no plans to recast the role played by the 'Joker' Oscar winner," while Variety said that "The crew is now out of work, and stakeholders in the film still need to be paid."

"Losses could exceed seven figures," Variety added.