Joaquin Phoenix breaks silence on his controversial decision to drop out of gay romance movie

Joaquin Phoenix broke his silence over his controversial decision to drop out of  Todd Haynes' gay romance film, five days before it was scheduled to begin filming.

While attending a press conference for his new movie, Joker: Folie à Deux, at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, the Oscar winner, 49, addressed his departure from the untitled project, in which he and Danny Ramirez were set to play onscreen lovers in the 1930s. 

When asked if he could share the reason for his sudden exit from the film, which he  developed with Haynes and writer Jon Raymond, Phoenix dodged the question. 

'If I do, I’ll just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, and it just doesn’t feel like that would be right,' he explained to the reporter, according to People. 

The actor continued: 'I am not sure how that would be helpful. I don’t think I will.'

Phoenix developed the screenplay for the detective love story with Haynes and Raymond - with a source saying the actor had trepidation over the project amid rumors he was uncomfortable with the film's graphic sex scenes. 

The film was set to be rated NC-17 and feature a relationship that would 'challenge' audiences. 

Entire sets had reportedly been built in Guadalajara before Phoenix exited the film.

The crew allegedly speculate that Phoenix's exit was to do with the steamy scenes - per Variety - although other sources counteract that as Phoenix  brought the project to Haynes initially.

Haynes told Variety in September 2023 that Phoenix began creating the film with 'fragments of ideas', adding: 'Basically it was just this wonderful, organic way to create the script. And Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually.'

The film - produced by Killer Films and backed by MK2 Film- was reportedly 'hinged' on Phoenix's casting.

Last year, Haynes told IndieWire: 'Joaquin was pushing me further and going "No, let’s go further."' 

Before the project was shelved, the writer-director, 63, raved that the actor was the film’s 'driving force.' 

'The whole experience was prompted by Joaquin,' Haynes told the outlet in 2023. 'It was prompted by his daring, his desire to push through barriers and to really get into the uncomfortable places about this relationship. And yet it felt like a very organic process.'

The film would have marked Phoenix’s first time portraying a character in a same-sex relationship.

Joaquin and Rooney quietly welcomed their first child, son River, in August 2020. Mara confirmed she was expecting a second child in February. 

Phoenix will next be seen onscreen in the Joker sequel, Folie à Deux, alongside Lady Gaga - set for release October 4. 

Joker: Folie À Deux is the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019's Academy Award-winning Joker, which earned more than $1 billion at the global box office and remains the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. 

The new film stars  Phoenix once again in his Oscar-winning dual role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, opposite Oscar winner Gaga (A Star Is Born).

Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. 

'While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him,' a press release shared.

Phillips directed the film from a screenplay by fellow Oscar nominee Scott Silver & Phillips, based on characters from DC. 

The film was produced by Phillips, Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Joseph Garner. 

Lady Gaga served as music consultant.