Ramirez hinted that the movie will be a “love story between two men set in the ’30s that has explicit sexual content” in an interview with Variety.
Although there were rumors that the drop-out could have been related to this, those familiar with the movie were not persuaded.
According to Variety, “That theory is confusing to some sources, who reiterate that it was Phoenix who brought the project — and its NC-17 concept — to Haynes in the first place.”
Todd Haynes claims that Phoenix’s disjointed thoughts served as the basis for the film’s premise, which he then developed into a screenplay.
He continued: “Basically it was just this wonderful, organic way to create the script.”Joaquin was pushing it into more risky sexual area.
During a press conference for Joker: Folie a Deux, the sequel, Phoenix was questioned about this.
