Joaquin Phoenix has reportedly dropped out of Todd Haynes’ new gay romance film just five days before they were due to start filming.The untitled film was ready to begin shooting in Guadalajara, Mexico next week, but Variety has confirmed that the Oscar-winning actor has withdrawn from the project, with someone close to the film saying Phoenix got “cold feet”.Phoenix had worked on the screenplay of the film alongside Haynes, known for helming Carol, I’m Not There and May December, and Jon Raymond.Variety reports that the future of the project is now in peril, despite it having already been sold to international distributors. The film’s crew are now said to be out of work with losses speculated to potentially exceed seven figures.Unconfirmed speculation suggests that Phoenix’s decision is related to the graphic nature of the sex scenes in the film.
