Sep 25
Producer of Todd Haynes' Gay Romance Movie Slams Joaquin Phoenix's Exit as 'Wasted' Time
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A longtime Todd Haynes collaborator called out the recent drama surrounding Joaquin Phoenix's news-breaking exit off the set of the director's gay romance film a "waste" of his time.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Christine Vachon of Killer Films called "the truth" at the center of the whole ordeal pretty much how it has been reported in the headlines.
"The truth is, pretty much what happened is out there for all of you to see," said Vachon. "If I had anything to gossip about it, I would, but I don't. It was tragic."
She added, "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."
Vachon made the comments at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Tuesday as she was discussing the ever-changing filmmaking industry and sustainability. Phoenix's exit reportedly put hundreds of crewmembers out of work.
"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," said Vachon. "We, as a cultural community, lost an opportunity to have another movie by Todd Haynes. That is just criminal."
During his press tour for the upcoming "Joker: Folie à Deux," Phoenix declined to comment on the situation, 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."
