Producer of Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Movie on Joaquin Phoenix’s Exit: “The Idea That Todd’s Time Was Wasted Is Tragic”

Christine Vachon of Killer Films, a longtime collaborator of Todd Haynes who was meant to be producing the director’s project with Joaquin Phoenix before the actor exited as shooting was set to start , has told “the truth” of the situation and described what she believes is the most tragic part.

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Vachon spoke at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Tuesday to discuss the sustainability of making films in an ever-changing industry. When asked about Phoenix pulling out of the gay romance movie — reportedly putting hundreds of crewmembers out of work — she said she felt most for Haynes.

“The truth is, pretty much what happened is out there for all of you to see,” Vachon began. “If I had anything to gossip about it, I would, but I don’t. It was tragic. The most tragic part about it, in my mind, is Todd Haynes is 62. There’s a finite number of films that they’ll be able to do in his lifetime. I consider him one of the most extraordinary film artists of his generation.

“The idea that his time was wasted and that a movie is not a result of those years of working closely with Joaquin, that is the tragedy to me and that I can’t get over,” Vachon continued. “We, as a cultural community, lost an opportunity to have another movie by Todd Haynes. That is just criminal.”

Vachon had previously commented that the situation was a “nightmare” in the days after Phoenix’s exit.

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Vachon and Pamela Koffler head up Killer Films. The untitled film, also starring Captain America: Brave New World ’s Danny Ramirez, was said to focus on an intense gay romance in the 1930s.

Phoenix is currently doing press for Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux , which premieres in October after debuting at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. There, Phoenix declined to share his point of view on what transpired, saying: “The other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, and it just doesn’t feel like that would be right. I’m not sure how that would be helpful, so I just don’t think I will,” he added.

San Sebastian Film Festival runs from Sept. 20-28.

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