Joaquin Phoenix has abruptly exited a gay romance film directed by Todd Haynes, just five days before filming was set to begin in Mexico, leading to significant financial losses for the project. Producer Christine Vachon of Killer Films confirmed the situation in a now-deleted Facebook post, defending the decision to cast Phoenix, a heterosexual actor, and emphasizing that he originally brought the project to them. Vachon urged critics not to blame the casting choice, asserting that the film's LGBTQ representation was a priority for the production team. There are speculations that Phoenix's departure may be linked to discomfort with the film's explicit sexual content, which was intended to be rated NC-17, despite his initial enthusiasm for pushing the project's boundaries. The film was set to explore a romantic relationship between Phoenix and Danny Ramirez's characters in the 1930s, but local crew members are now left uncertain about their pay and the project's future. Vachon expressed frustration over the situation while acknowledging the challenges posed by Phoenix's sudden decision.