Months after his abrupt departure from Todd Haynes' 1930s-set gay romance film just five days before production was to begin, Joaquin Phoenix remains entangled in a legal battle with the film's producers. Sources close to the production reveal that the producers have now retained a litigator to enforce their rights and recoup the significant losses incurred due to Phoenix's last-minute exit.
Phoenix, who co-wrote the script with Jon Raymond, reportedly walked off the set citing creative differences. However, his sudden departure left the producers scrambling, causing millions in losses and leaving the project in limbo.
According to industry insider Matt Belloni, the producers are exploring all options, including a potential lawsuit against Phoenix for breach of contract. They are aiming to at least recuperate the money already invested in the project, not to mention the lost wages of the cast and crew who were left in the lurch.
While there have been discussions with Phoenix's representatives at WME and lawyer David Weber, no resolution has been reached. One possibility that has been floated is for Phoenix to pay a portion of the lost financing.
This incident has once again highlighted the precarious nature of film production, where even the biggest stars can cause major disruptions. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and whether Phoenix will ultimately be held accountable for the financial fallout of his decision.
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