How Joaquin Phoenix abandoning NC-17 gay romance movie could seriously hurt the ‘Joker’ sequel
news broke that the Oscar-winning actor got cold feet over an untitled “explicit gay romance” he was supposed to make with acclaimed queer filmmaker Todd Haynes, reportedly abandoning the project a mere five days before production was set to begin, leaving co-star Danny Ramirez and the rest of his cast and crew hanging in the process.And while one could understand why a straight actor might get nervous about a gay role that apparently delves into some “sexually dangerous” territory, the gag is that the movie was Phoenix’s idea in the first place—based off a story concept he personally brought to Haynes.Subscribe to our newsletter for your front-row seat to all things entertainment with a sprinkle of everything else queer.It was… not a good look for the 49-year-old actor, to say the least, with one of the film’s producers, Christine Vachon, calling the situation a “nightmare.”I thought it might be some life or death situation but it seems like he fucked them over.
pic.twitter.com/UP4V0aWvv3While the internet was happy to suggest possible replacements for Phoenix—with out wrestler Anthony Bowens even throwing his own name in the ring—it’s all too little, too late, and this version of the film is now on ice indefinitely.Phoenix could’ve been kissing Danny Ramirez on camera, but he flaked and now the gays are dragging him through the mud.Speculation over what happened was soon crowded out by anger, specifically directed at Phoenix for pushing for and then abandoning a queer role.
