Joaquin Phoenix's LGTBQ film exit leaves producers miffed and Oscar hopes for 'Joker' sequel in jeopardy
LOS ANGELS, CALIFORNIA: Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar chances have reportedly diminished after bad blood allegedly brewed between the actor and a section of Hollywood producers following the ‘Joker’ star's exit from Todd Haynes‘ gay romance film.
The 49-year-old actor reportedly angered some Hollywood producers after he unceremoniously exited from Haynes’ film just five days before the commencement of the shooting.
Joaquin Phoenix may be out of Oscar race after backing out from gay romance film
According to sources, the Oscar-winning actor’s sudden turnaround did not sit well with some Hollywood producers, who are left fuming at him. An insider recently revealed to In Touch, “The issue here is that Joaquin was indeed a producer himself on the project.”
The unnamed film was going to be a gay romance set in the period of the 1930s. The film was allegedly going for an NC-17 rating.
The source shared with the outlet, that Phoenix “brought it to Haynes, only to decide at the last possible minute that he didn’t want to do it.”
Naturally, this decision of the ‘HER’ actor left many infuriated since film sets were reportedly made in Mexico where the film was to be shot. Since the project was halted, many people are reportedly seeking payment for their work, and with Phoenix himself being a producer, the problems have intensified.
Per the outlet, Phoenix approached Haynes initially with the idea of the film, while pushing it to be “sexually explicit.”
But as the days for filming drew near, the Oscar-winning actor grew “cold feet” regarding the portrayal of same-sex romance on screen, subsequently abandoning the project just days before the shoot commenced.
The source summarized that because Phoenix has “angered the producing community so much with this exit,” his chances for an Oscar for his latest film ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ have also decreased.
Phoenix’s ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’, co-starring Lady Gaga in the lead had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival amid much fanfare on September 4.
The source shared with In Touch that since his exit ruffled the feathers of many, “people are saying he’s effectively out of the Oscar race, which really hinges on peer and community support over other factors like critical acclaim and box office.”
Joaquin Phoenix did not speak about abandoned project at Venice Film Festival
During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, the actor was asked about his decision to leave the film.
However, Phoenix refused to discuss the reason. He told the reporters, per In Touch, “I’ll just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, 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 [explain the decision].”
The source close to the actor noted, “The word is that Joaquin is legally protected from being sued by other members of the low-budget production, but key people in Hollywood are urging him to make a financial settlement with the crew members that were hired for the film.”
They shared that as he was visiting Venice to promote his new film, the payments have not yet been cleared, “but it’s expected to be cleared up in the next week or so.”
