Film producer says it was Joaquin Phoenix's project
UPDATE: Producer Christine Vachon is speaking out after we broke the news yesterday that Joaquin Phoenix pulled out of Todd Haynes' gay NC-17 project five days before production.
Catch the full report: https://t.co/lUORewDzHX pic.twitter.com/QYPfh7oWWO
- IndieWire (@IndieWire) August 11, 2024
It was previously reported that Joaquin Phoenix dropped out at the last minute of a gay romance movie directed by Todd Haynes, and the film's financing depended on casting Phoenix (Here's the ONTD post).
Now (on saturday) producer Christine Vachon posted a comment explaining why a straight actor was playing a gay character by saying it was Phoenix who brought the project to them. Also, IndieWire's article has comments from Haynes, made last year, that mention that Phoenix was the driving force behind the film which was prompted by the actor's daring.
Text posted by producer Christine Vachon:
"A version of this did happen. It has been a nightmare. If I haven't been in touch or returned your call-- this is why. And PLEASE -- if you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that "that's what you get for casting a straight actor" --DON'T. This was HIS project that he brought to US-- and Killer's* record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (and for those of you who HAVE-- know that you are making a terrible situation even worse)".
*Killer Films is an independent film production company owned by Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, and it has produced all of Haynes’ movies.
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