Joaquin Phoenix Threatened To Depart Napoleon New Report Reveals

Joaquin Phoenix found himself in hot water late last week when it was revealed that he exited an upcoming project he brought to the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker behind Far from Heaven , Todd Haynes.

Haynes collaborated on the screenplay with Phoenix, along with Jonathan Raymond and the untitled film was set to follow two men falling in love in the 1930s.

Phoenix's exit has left the cast and crew in limbo, and his actions have now come under further scrutiny.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that sources informed them this isn't the first time the Academy Award winner has had "cold feet" before the start of a project.

They revealed that Phoenix's most recent performance as Napoleon Bonaparte in Ridley Scott's Napoleon was one of these projects, with The Hollywood Reporter saying Phoenix threatened to depart the project unless Paul Thomas Anderson (who directed Phoenix in The Master ) was hired to do some rewrites.

Paul Thomas Anderson did not contribute to the script in the end, but Phoenix stayed on board the project, which was released in November 2023 and scored three Oscar nominations.

The news hits ahead of Joker: Folie à Deux prepares to premiere at the Venice Film Festival in a few weeks.

Phoenix was in attendance at the festival in 2019 when Joker premiered, and it's expected that he will likely return to do press alongside filmmaker Todd Phillips and co-star Lady Gaga this year.

However, with this news hitting the mainstream, it is unclear whether that will impact Phoenix's presence in Venice.

Related: Brian Cox Says Joaquin Phoenix Was “Terrible” in Napoleon