LGBT can stand for so many things: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender; Lady Gaga–Beyoncé’s ‘Telephone”; let’s get bread today; etc. But when it comes to Joaquin Phoenix, the Q in LGBTQ stands for just one thing: quitter. Phoenix has reportedly deserted the Todd Haynes–directed gay romance he was set to star in just five days before filming in July, per IndieWire. Promise you this: No gay actor would ever pull out. Allegedly, he got “cold feet.” Well, we’d note that it would also require a cold heart to leave fully built sets in Guadalajara, a crew that is ready to work, and multiple international distributors that have already purchased rights to the project. Sources claimed Phoenix’s role as a corrupt cop in the 1930s cannot be recast, meaning the crew is now unemployed and losses could go up to seven figures. Danny Ramirez of Top Gun: Maverick was reportedly set to play his love interest.
There’s speculation among the crew that the exit has to do with the planned NC-17 gay scenes in the film, but Phoenix is the one who pitched the “love story and with a strong sexual component,” as Haynes previously told Variety. “Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually,” Haynes said at the time. What a tease. Lemme Go Berate This Quitter+.
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