Danny Ramirez on Joaquin Phoenix’s exit from Todd Haynes film

Danny Ramirez was set to star opposite Joaquin Phoenix in a gay romance film from director Todd Haynes. But Phoenix canceled the untitled project just five days before filming began in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” Ramirez said diversityMarc Malkin at the Academy Museum Gala on Saturday evening in Los Angeles. He added: “If anything, it’s just inspired me more to keep going, keep pushing and know that I’m on the right track and can approach the work in the right way.” That’s it, which I’m happy about.”

After it was announced in August that Phoenix had left the project, sources said diversity that the film, which depended on Phoenix’s casting, was in jeopardy. The film was supposed to be an NC-17 rated crime film from the 1930s about the escape of two men in love to Mexico.

“It’s definitely a very complicated situation,” Ramirez said. “The audition process was extensive, and what I was left with was just the artistic validation of having thrown down the opposite of what was said [Phoenix] read in this chemistry.”

When asked if the film is still underway with director Haynes, Ramirez replied, “The latest update is ‘hopefully’.”

Phoenix developed the script with Haynes and Jon Raymond, but according to a source close to the production, the actor got “cold feet.”

Produced by Killer Films and supported by sales agent M2K Film, the film had already been sold to international distributors before production. Furthermore, entire sets had been set up in Guadalajara before Phoenix’s late exit. diversity reported in August that losses could exceed seven figures.