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Joaquin Phoenix Breaks Silence on His Choice To Depart New Todd Haynes Film

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Billie Melissa | Last updated Sep 4, 2024 8:29 AM ET

Todd Haynes and Joaquin Phoenix were set to team up on a new film but that is now in limbo after Phoenix departed the project just five days before cameras were set to roll.

Deadline dropped the news last month, also revealing that there were no plans to recast Phoenix's role.

Phoenix has now become the first from the cast and crew to speak out as he appeared at the Venice Film Festival in a press conference for Joker: Folie à Deux which premieres on the Lido later today.

The Academy Award winner was asked why he departed the project, to which he responded: "I think if I do [answer this], I would just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren't here to say their piece and that just doesn't feel right."

Joaquin Phoenix after being asked why he departed Todd Haynes’ film:

"I think if I do [answer this], I would just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren't here to say their piece and that just doesn't feel right." pic.twitter.com/UH6lafqaPX
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 4, 2024

It's a diplomatic answer for a decision that left a fleet of cast and crew members without a job, but it's understandable and unsurprising that Phoenix felt the need to say as little as possible.

Joker: Folie à Deux heads to theaters on October 4 with Phoenix starring opposite Lady Gaga in this follow-up to Todd Phillips' 2019 film which secured Phoenix his first Oscar.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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