After Joaquin Phoenix’s sudden departure from Todd Haynes’ gay romance caused the movie to fall apart, one producer has spoken out about the aftermath.
Killer Films’ Christine Bashon responded to speculation that Phoenix’s sudden departure was related to the film’s LGBTQ content and planned NC-17 rating in a Facebook post about the actor’s departure five days before filming began.
“Something similar to this actually happened to me. It was a nightmare,” she began in the post, according to People magazine.
“And please, if you’re tempted to blame or chastise us for ‘this is what happens when you cast a straight actor,’ please don’t,” Vachon wrote in part. “This was a project he brought to us and Killer’s track record of working with LGBTQ actors, crew and directors speaks for itself (and anyone who does know that they are making a bad situation even worse).”
Since producing Haynes’ New Queer Cinema debut, Poison, in 1991, Vachon has worked with him on Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998), Far Away (2002), I’m Not There (2007) and Carol (2015). He has also produced films such as Stonewall (1995), The Kids (1995), I Shot Andy Warhol (1996), Boys Don’t Cry (1999), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Camp (2003) and Party Monster (2003).
Charles Melton, director Todd Haynes, and Julianne Moore on the set of May December (2023). (Courtesy of François Duhamel/Netflix/Everett Collection)
François Duhamel/Netflix
Phoenix reportedly flew out from the set of Haynes’ film in Guadalajara, Mexico, two weeks ago as producers try to bounce the project back before production is halted completely, with local crew members expected to be paid.
The film was set to star Phoenix and Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick) as two men who develop a torrid romance in the 1930s and leave Los Angeles for Mexico. Vachon served as producer along with Pam Koffler.
Haynes previously told Deadline magazine, “I have an upcoming project I’m really excited about – a film that’s completely different in style, tone and setting. It’s a two-man, interracial, unlikely love story set in the 1930s, starring Joaquin Phoenix. The original idea for the story and setting was something he approached me about a few years ago, and we started talking and sharing those conversations.”
The director said that he and his partner Jon Raymond wrote the screenplay, adding, “We basically created the film so we all share story credit together. It feels very fresh and new and exciting.”
Meanwhile, Phoenix is preparing to head out on the press tour for Joker: For Do, which premieres in the US on October 4th.