When Joaquin Phoenix unexpectedly pulled out of Todd Haynes' eagerly anticipated gay romance flick mere days before the cameras were to roll, a ripple effect that transcended the boundaries of its picturesque Guadalajara, Mexico, set, sent shockwaves reverberating through Hollywood. "The level of indignation among producers is monumental," divulges a studio insider, highlighting the chaos the last-minute withdrawal wrought on the cast and crew, potentially exposing Phoenix to legal repercussions, insiders whisper.
The abrupt departure was all the more jarring given Phoenix's instrumental role in bringing the untitled project, a poignant tale of a passionate gay love affair set in the 1930s, to Haynes and his stalwart producers at Killer Films, helmed by Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler. With Danny Ramirez of 'Captain America: Brave New World' also starring, the film promised to be a poignant exploration of love and era.
However, just as production loomed, Phoenix's resolve seemingly waned, leaving those in the know scratching their heads over the enigmatic reasons behind his change of heart. Despite inquiries, a representative for the actor remained tight-lipped, while Killer Films chose to remain silent on the matter.
Phoenix's penchant for pre-production jitters is well-documented. Two reliable sources whisper to The Hollywood Reporter that he once threatened to abandon Ridley Scott's ambitious 'Napoleon' endeavor unless Paul Thomas Anderson, the auteur behind 'The Master,' was enlisted to revamp the script. Ultimately, his fears were soothed, and the film sailed into theaters late last year, but the incident serves as a testament to the actor's tendency to harbor doubts at the threshold of new creative endeavors.
As recounted by Phoenix himself to Anderson Cooper of 60 Minutes, embarking on a new role often leaves him feeling "petrified," consumed by anxiety before the cameras roll. He confesses to a pre-shoot jitter that stems from the fear of not "discovering the perfect canvas to articulate" his creative visions.
Lately, whispers within the filmmaking fraternity have crescendoed into a call for legal recourse against Phoenix, with insiders drawing parallels to instances where Hollywood's elite have faced the music for abandoning projects sans a lead star. Case in point: In 1993, a court deemed Kim Basinger in breach of a verbal agreement to star in 'Boxing Helena' by Main Line Pictures, awarding the studio damages of no less than $8.92 million. However, this verdict was overturned the subsequent year, ultimately leading to a 1995 settlement where Basinger agreed to pay $3.8 million.
Others have recounted Bruce Willis' abrupt departure from the unfinished Disney venture, 'Broadway Brawler,' mid-production, forcing him to make amends by starring in three subsequent Disney films, albeit at a reduced fee. Ironically, this arrangement proved beneficial for all parties involved, as two of those films – 'Armageddon' and 'The Sixth Sense' – emerged as box office triumphs.
As Phoenix gears up to showcase 'The Joker: Folie à Deux' at Venice Film Festival and potentially other prestigious platforms, this controversy threatens to cast a shadow over his promotional tour. Yet, Phoenix, known for his reserved approach to solo media interactions even for his most celebrated roles, tends to bide his time, opting for the latter stages of awards season to grace the spotlight.
In the realm of 'Joker,' Joaquin Phoenix and Warner Bros. stood their ground, turning down the lion's share of grandiose demands. The film's Los Angeles debut was a testament to this defiance, with not a single red carpet interview gracing the event amidst fears that the film's content might incite real-world violence. Despite the controversy swirling around it, 'Joker' emerged victorious, raking in over $1 billion and earning Phoenix an Academy Award.
Remarkably, Phoenix's reserved demeanor and controversial past haven't hindered his Oscar prospects; in fact, they've often piqued the curiosity of voters. Recall his elaborate prank of pretending to embark on a rap career in 2010, ridiculed by many, yet it didn't deter him from landing a Best Actor nomination for 'The Master' two years later.
However, the world of film festivals is inextricably linked with red carpets and press junkets, and Phoenix's mere presence at any of these events, so soon after his decision to part ways with the Haynes project, could stir up a storm of distractions for both fans and media alike.
Whispers have circulated among industry insiders about potentially blacklisting Phoenix for his exit from the Haynes film, but most acknowledge this as an unrealistic scenario, particularly given the anticipated success of 'Joker 2,' set to release on October 4th.
One industry insider, uninvolved with the Haynes productions, remains confident that Phoenix's career won't suffer significant repercussions. This source predicts that Phoenix will amicably settle for a low-seven-figure amount, citing his substantial earnings from the 'Joker' franchise as ample financial cushion to absorb the situation. "He'll negotiate a settlement if they push, it's merely a drop in the ocean for him," the agent muses.
