Director Todd Haynes Addresses Future of NC-17 Gay Romance After Joaquin Phoenix Drops Out of Project

Director Todd Haynes is speaking out about the future of his NC-17 gay romance movie after Joaquin Phoenix departed the project.

The Joker actor belatedly backed out of the movie, which he was starring in with Danny Ramirez, in August 2024. His decision to quit came days before the film was supposed to enter production.

While attending the Marrakech Film Festival, Todd weighed in on the situation and hinted that there is still hope for the movie.

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“What happened this summer was tough,” he admitted, via Variety, adding, “But the film itself and the script itself may resurrect in a different form someday.”

Todd did not confirm the reason for Joaquin exiting the project. However, sources reported that the actor had “cold feet,” possibly due to the movie’s mature content.

The movie was rumored to carry a NC-17 rating due to steamy sex scenes.

At the time of Joaquin‘s departure, it was reporting that the movie’s financing “hinging on” his involvement.

See what Danny had to say about the movie getting cancelled and which actor volunteered to fill the role.

This is not the first time that Joaquin has turned down a role in a romance.