Joaquin Phoenix shuts down thorny question at Venice press conference

Joaquin Phoenix fronted the media for the first time since bailing on his latest film - but didn’t want to talk about the elephant in the room.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix has faced the press for the first time since dramatically dropping out of his latest film – and he firmly shut down any questions about that thorny topic.

Phoenix, 49, faced the media for a press conference at the Venice Film Festival along with Lady Gaga to promote their new film together, Joker: Folie à Deux.

But the media outing came just weeks after Phoenix made world headlines for dropping out of director Todd Haynes’ latest film days before shooting was due to begin.

Phoenix had helped Haynes develop the untitled gay romance movie for several years, but walked out on the project at the very last minute, leaving it unlikely to be made – and with the film makers facing a multimillion-dollar bill.

Screen Daily reports that Phoenix was asked one question about his headline-making exit at the press conference, and refused to answer – albeit with an explanation for his reasons.

Phoenix fronts the press with Lady Gaga to talk about their new project. Picture: AFP

“If I do, I would 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, I’m not sure how that would be helpful,” he told the journalist from Screen International.

“So I don’t think I will [answer it]”.

Variety reported in early August that Phoenix allegedly got “cold feet” and quit the movie five days before it was due to start filming.

Deadline reported that the film about two gay lovers who leave California for Mexico allegedly had “dicey intimacy scenes,” which multiple outlets reported were a factor in Phoenix’s decision to bail.

Respected director Haynes had earlier been talking up the project in the media, stressing Phoenix’s heavy involvement in the creative process.

Phoenix’s mood changed when asked about the failed project.

Director Todd Haynes’ film was a gay romance set in the 1930s. Picture: Getty

“The next film is a feature that’s an original script that I developed with Joaquin Phoenix based on some thoughts and ideas he brought to me,” Haynes told IndieWire in May 2023.

“We basically wrote with him as a story writer. Me and Jon Raymond and Joaquin share the story credit. And we hope to be shooting it beginning early next year. It’s a gay love story set in 1930s LA.”

It was also reported that the film could not simply be recast, as Phoenix’s starring role was a big factor in it being financed.

Upon the actor’s exit, stakeholders in the film would reportedly still need to be paid, creating a debt that could exceed seven figures.