Another Todd Haynes Film Bites the Dust
Friday, August 9, 2024 at 1:21PM by Nick Taylor
Julianne wouldn't do this to him
Tragedy has struck this afternoon. Todd Haynes' would-be next film is officially dead in the water, two weeks after Joaquin Phoenix stormed off set from Mexico. No reason has been stated yet for why Phoenix has left the production, or why his departure has killed the film outright. Danny Ramirez is still ready to go. Todd Haynes is still ready! Why can't we have nice things?
The pity party continues under the cut . . . .
Remember Haynes' Peggy Lee biopic starring Michelle Williams that fell through and is apparently being rewritten as we speak? What about his planned adaptation of Herman Diaz's novel Trust for HBO, reuniting him with his Mildred Pierce star Kate Winslet? Haynes doesn't have the litany of abandoned projects someone like Guillermo del Toro has, but it's still disappointing to see him in this limbo.
But back to the matter at hand, because I don't think I really gave this enough attention: what is happening??? Phoenix approached Haynes with this material, co-wrote the project along with being set to star in it, and apparently pushed hard for an NC-17 rating that meant he'd have to do a lot of explicit gay stuff onscreen. What was it about the project he basically created that spooked him right as things were about to start filming? Haynes has spoken about how instrument Phoenix has been in developing the film, resulting in an unusually intimate process of creation.
All that being said, I'm still not clear how Joaquin's departure mean the film is dead in the water? Sets have been built. Money has changed hands. Everything is ready to go, except for the star fleeing the scene like everyone isn't about to lose a fuckton of money. What broke the camel's back for Phoenix to leave this project, unlike similar scares during the production of Joker and C'mon C'mon? Is he just afraid of playing gay? Did Phoenix see those "men would rather craft an intensely gay star vehicle than go to therapy" memes and realize something about himself? That sounds so glib, and whatever's happening that caused Phoenix to abandon the set, I hope he's able to resolve it. I also hope Haynes still has Mark Ruffalo or Ewan McGregor or Christian Bale on speed dial, and that they can get this movie made. If nothing else, I know plenty a homosexual who would happily star in a version of Happy Together set in California and Mexico alongside Danny Ramirez. Oh hell, what do I have to lose - Todd, call me!
Who would you cast to replace Phoenix? And who the fuck can we call to make sure this movie still gets made??!?
Reader Comments (12)
This is so odd. Though I know Phoenix is a specific actor and I wouldn't be shocked that he's gotten close to projects before dropping out, I'm a bit shocked he would drop a project a few days into shooting.
I've been excited about Haynes making a return to films that are explicitly about gay men as the focus. While I suspect another star won't be found, maybe another one could step in. Though his preparation process is always long, I'd love to see Christian Bale in a role like the one Phoenix had.
Dammit, I was really hoping to see this and I wanted to see some really hot ass-fucking. Yes, get Christian Bale. We know he's got the ass for the part or get Chris Evans. He needs to get away from these action movies and anything related to Marvel.
According to some sources, the film got funding on the understanding that Phoenix would appear in it and since he is a box office draw- Napoleon made more money and got more Oscar nominations then anyone thought it would make- investors would have made their money back. There needs to be a quick recast of someone on Phoenix's level to keep investors happy. Phoenix will still get screenwriting credit if the movie does get made.
Who needs an Oscar? Bradley Cooper? Ryan Gosling? Ewan McGregor? This there a male star willing to take a (probable) pay cut and work with Haynes and do gay scenes? Surly some star is willing to take this risk.
A possible PR stunt to gain some momentum for the upcoming Joker 2 because in fact the movie actual sucks and it needs all the help it can get come press tour time??
Also - i'd rather NOT see Joaquin Phoenix in gay sex scenes - total turnoff :( give me a better looking actor who is actually easy on the eyes ;)
TonyL - I was thinking we better expect to see Lady Gaga promoting that movie solo.
somebody get the agents of andrew scott, jonathan bailey, ben wishaw, luke evans, matt bomer or colman domingo on the phone - we don't need any spooked straight actors
TomG - that might be worse haha (sorry I just don’t like her)
Bradley Cooper
Tom Cruise
Hugh Jackman
Jeremy Renner
Nick did you mean Instrumental? Whose instrument were you thinking about ? Lol
Not sure why Phoenix is irreplaceable in the role. Surely the cost of giving up the rights to the material pales in comparison to the coming lawsuit.
This is all deeply strange.
I hope someone else can step in. I realize Phoenix was instrumental in the film getting funded, but it's not like he's the only big male star in Hollywood, and I'm sure lots of actors would love to work with Haynes.
I'll be curious to see how Phoenix addresses this.
Phoenix has always seemed insufferable to me (and overrated as an actor), so I hope producers are now more reluctant to cast him in big projects. I'd rather see any of the actors listed in the comments in a film.
I think the issue with replacing him is the timing - any A-lister who can guarantee this level of funding is bound to be busy months in advance.
Edited to say: I believe his adaptation of Trust is still happening? Winslet was talking about it last spring when she was doing press for The Regime. I didn't love the novel, but I am excited to see what they do with that story.