It’s definitely disappointing. If anything, it just gave me more inspiration to keep driving, keep pushing, and knowing that I’m on the right path and approaching the work the right way. So, that’s what I’m excited about…
Danny Ramirez speaking to Variety‘s Marc Malkin at the Academy Museum Gala about Joaquin Phoenix abruptly quitting Todd Haynes’ gay romance a week before shooting was scheduled to begin.
…The audition process was extensive, and so what I walked away with that was just the artistic validation of throwing down opposite of [Phoenix] in this chemistry read… There was a moment that I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve arrived as a performer.’”
Related*
Joaquin Phoenix breaks silence on his abrupt exit from Todd Haynes’ NC-17 gay romance
Phoenix gave a slow but evasive answer after asked about exiting the project 5 days before production started.
S.anderson
I can’t help but feel that the reason Phoenix bailed is well-known by now but the media is milking this “Joaquin is unstable and BAD” narrative as long as they can. It’s because they were taking his ideas in directions he disagreed with, and they couldn’t be talked out of it. Plain as day.