Last month, actor Joaquin Phoenix suddenly left the set of Todd Haynes’ gay period romance, leaving the crew scrambling to pick up the pieces. Crew members in Guadalajara, Mexico are still due money, and production has stopped dead in its tracks following Phoenix’s departure.

Phoenix has declined to comment on this. Previously, he told a press conference reporter that: “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.”

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Now, producer Christine Vachon of Killer Films spoke publicly to shed light on the situation. “The truth is, pretty much what happened is out there for all of you to see. If I had anything to gossip about it, I would, but I don’t. It was tragic.”

She continued, “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. We, as a cultural community, lost an opportunity to have another movie by Todd Haynes. That is just criminal.”

Now, the Internet is reacting to the drama all over again.

Leaving at the 11th hour was certainly a choice.

“They should recast him and make the movie anyway”

The phrase “artistic cowardice” does feel apt.

Can this film be salvaged? We certainly hope so.

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