Joker star Joaquin Phoenix drops out of NC-17 gay romance after getting “cold feet”

Joaquin Phoenix has walked away from his upcoming gay romance film.

Back in May 2023, Carol director Todd Haynes announced that he was working with the Joker actor on an NC-17 gay romance drama.

“The next film is a feature that’s an original script that I developed with Joaquin Phoenix based on some thoughts and ideas he brought me,” the May December director revealed to Indie Wire.

“We basically wrote with him as a story writer. Me and Jon Raymond and Joaquin share the story credit. And we hope to be shooting it beginning early next year. It’s a gay love story set in 1930s L.A..”

A year later, Top Gun: Maverick star Danny Ramirez joined the film as Phoenix’s love interest, with Deadline describing their characters as “intense lovers” who embark on a journey from California to Mexico.

While it seemed like everything was going according to plan, a new report from Variety revealed that Phoenix is no longer moving forward with the project.

According to the publication, the Her star dropped out of filming five days before production was set to start in Mexico.

While information on the situation is limited, a source revealed to Variety that Phoenix got “cold feet” due to the film’s graphic sex scenes.

The departure of The Gladiator star – who is not currently being recast – has reportedly put the film in jeopardy, with various crew members and stakeholders waiting to be paid. The financial loss could potentially add up to over “seven figures.”

Lastly, in an additional report from Deadline, Phoenix allegedly “walked off set” in July, with his costar Ramirez attending San Deigo Comic Con, unsure about the film’s future.

As of this writing, Haynes, Phoenix, Ramirez or Killer Films, the movie’s production company, has yet to release an official statement.

The post Joker star Joaquin Phoenix drops out of NC-17 gay romance after getting “cold feet” appeared first on GAY TIMES.