MOVIE NEWS – Joaquin Phoenix previously threatened to withdraw from Ridley Scott’s Napoleon…

It’s breaking news that Joaquin Phoenix got out of a gay romance just five days before filming began. In this connection, new stories are coming to light about the past of the actor, who has previously threatened to withdraw from projects at the last moment. In a 2020 appearance on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Phoenix told host Anderson Cooper that he often gets “petrified” before starting a project, questioning his own abilities to find what he needs to portray a role accurately and honestly. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor almost dropped out of Ridley Scott’s 2023 epic Napoleon because of his doubts.

Two sources told THR that the actor was unhappy with the film’s script before Phoenix set foot on the set of Napoleon in 2022. In fact, the actor was so upset that he threatened to quit the project unless writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson was brought in to rewrite the script. Phoenix previously worked with Anderson on The Master. Anderson was indeed hired to do the rewrite, and a satisfied Phoenix ended up taking the lead role in the film. Given that the film was poorly received by critics and audiences alike, and fell short of box office success, Phoenix may now wish he hadn’t.

Joaquin Phoenix may face legal action for leaving Todd Haynes’ new film

Phoenix’s exit from the 1930s-set gay romance could lead to legal action against the actor. His exit from the project just five days before filming began means most of the crew was already on location before filming began in Guadalupe, Mexico. According to the producers, a seven-figure sum has already been spent on pre-production costs for the film’s preparations.

What’s most surprising about Phoenix’s withdrawal is that the actor himself pushed for the film.

He was the one who approached director Todd Haynes and his old production partners with the script. It is understood that Phoenix himself pushed for the film to avoid an NC-17 rating. With Phoenix’s departure, the entire project has now fallen apart in what producer Christine Vachon called a “nightmare.”

It is not yet known whether Phoenix will face any professional consequences for his actions, although it is not considered likely. In what is expected to be a follow-up to Phoenix’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the Joker, the upcoming promotional tour for Joker: Folie à Deux may force the actor to confront some uncomfortable questions. Legal action is also expected to be taken against Phoenix for the costs already accrued by the producers before his premature departure from the project. According to speculations, the wealthy actor is expected to settle and pay the upfront costs.

Source: THR