Fresh off the fallout of Joaquin Phoenix dropping out of a gay romance just five days before shooting began, new stories are emerging about the actor’s history as a demanding star who has threatened to abandon other projects at the last minute. In 2020, during an appearance on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Phoenix famously told host Anderson Cooper that he is often “petrified” before he begins a project, questioning his own ability to find what he needs to accurately and honestly portray a role. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor’s cold feet also nearly caused him to exit Ridley Scott’s 2023 epic, Napoleon.
Napoleon
2/5
- Release Date
- November 22, 2023
- Main Genre
- Biopic
- Writers
- David Scarpa
- Studio(s)
- Apple , Scott Free Productions
Two sources told THR that before Phoenix set foot on the set of Napoleon in 2022, the actor was unhappy with the script for the film. In fact, the actor was so upset he threatened to walk from the project unless writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson was brought in to rewrite the script. Phoenix previously worked with Anderson on the film The Master. Anderson was indeed hired for rewrites, and a satisfied Phoenix eventually went on to star in the film. Given the film’s poor reception by both reviewers and audiences, coupled with its underwhelming box office performance, Phoenix might now wish he hadn’t.
Phoenix May Face Legal Action for Abandoning Todd Haynes’ New Film
Phoenix’s departure from the 1930s-set gay romance might lead to legal action against the actor. His exit from the project only five days before shooting was to begin means that much of the production crew was already in place for filming to begin in Guadalupe, Mexico. According to producers, an amount in the low seven figures had already been spent in pre-production costs to prepare for the film.
What is most surprising about Phoenix’s withdrawal from the project is that the actor himself championed the film. It was he who approached director Todd Haynes and his longtime producing partners with the script. It’s also believed Phoenix himself was the one who pushed for the film to skirt an NC-17 rating. With Phoenix’s departure, the entire project has now fallen apart, something producer Christine Vachon has called “a nightmare”.
Related
Joaquin Phoenix Drops Out of Gay Romance Movie Five Days Before Filming
Production on Todd Haynes’ follow-up to May December has been halted, but crew members still need to get paid.
Whether Phoenix will face any professional ramifications for his actions is unknown at this time, though it’s believed unlikely. What is likely is that the upcoming promotional tour for Phoenix’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning Joker performance, Joker: Folie à Deux, may force the actor to face uncomfortable questions. It’s also expected that legal action will be brought against Phoenix for the costs already accrued by producers before his untimely departure from the project. Speculation indicates that the wealthy actor is expected to settle and pay the upfront costs.
