Producer for Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Film Addresses Joaquin Phoenix Exit: “A Nightmare”

Christine Vachon, a producer behind Todd Haynes‘ gay romance movie from which Joaquin Phoenix abruptly left last week, said on social media this weekend that the situation has been “a nightmare.”

Reports surfaced on Friday that Phoenix exited the drama feature just five days before filming was set to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico. The role will not be recast. The actor’s reason for the exit was unclear, and felt further confusing to those around the project as Phoenix has brought the project to Haynes.

Vachon, of Killer Films, shared an article about the situation to Facebook over the weekend, and wrote: “A version of this did happen. It has been a nightmare.”

Vachon also addressed criticism that Phoenix, who is straight, had been set to take a starring role in Haynes film about a gay character. “If you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that ‘that’s what you get for casting a straight actor’ — DON’T,” she wrote. “This was HIS project that he brought to US – and Killer’s record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (and for those of you who HAVE — know that you are making a terrible situation even worse).”

Vachon has since deleted the post.

Haynes’ movie was set to focus on an intense gay romance in the 1930s and co-star Danny Ramirez, whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick and the forthcoming Captain America: Brave New World. In addition to Vachon, Pam Koffler was set to produce. A source told The Hollywood Reporter that the team was “devastated” by Phoenix’s exit, and that the amount of money spent on the film was in the low seven figures.

Phoenix will next be seen in Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux on Oct. 4.

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