Actor Danny Ramirez, who was all set to take on a career-defining role in a bold new project alongside Joaquin Phoenix, spoke about his disappointment after the Joker star unexpectedly pulled out last minute.

Under the direction of Todd Haynes, Danny and Joaquin were poised to act in a gay romance set in the 1930s, which follows two men in love as they flee Los Angeles for Mexico.

The film was shaping up to be a gripping, emotionally charged story with sexually explicit scenes. However, just five days before shooting was set to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico, Joaquin made the surprising decision to withdraw from the project, leaving the film’s future in doubt.

Actor Danny Ramirez was set to star in a bold NC-17-rated gay romance alongside Joaquin Phoenix

Image credits: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images

 

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“It’s definitely disappointing,” Danny told Variety while attending the Academy Museum Gala in LA on Saturday, October 19.

“If anything, it just gave me more inspiration to keep driving, keep pushing, and knowing that I’m on the right path and approaching the work the right way. So that’s what I’m excited about,” he added.

Danny’s comments reflected how pivotal the prospect of starring alongside the Oscar-winning actor was for his career.

Just five days before filming began in Guadalajara, the Joker star unexpectedly pulled out, leaving the project in jeopardy

 

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A post shared by Danny Ramirez (@dannyramirez)

 

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A post shared by Danny Ramirez (@dannyramirez)

“It’s definitely a very complicated situation,” he said. “The audition process was extensive, and so what I walked away with that was just the artistic validation of throwing down opposite of [Phoenix] in this chemistry read… There was a moment that I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve arrived as a performer.’”

The actor is currently unsure about the status of the film.

“The most recent update is ‘hopefully,” he added.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” Danny said about the project’s current situation, just five days before filming was set to begin

Danny Ramirez, who was cast opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes’ gay romance film before Phoenix dropped out, says that his chemistry read featured “very intense, dramatic scenes” and that it’s “a very complicated situation.” https://t.co/0BVZhE2aj3 pic.twitter.com/ZTJwwFT0UZ

— Variety (@Variety) October 20, 2024

Reports claimed that Joaquin’s controversial decision to pull out of the movie, after entire sets had been built for it in Mexico, left the crew without work.

A source told Variety that he pulled out because he got “cold feet.”

During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, Joaquin declined to answer a question about his last-minute decision to exit five days before filming.

Joaquin declined to talk about his controversial decision to pull out of the Todd Haynes film

they finally asked joaquin phoenix why he dropped out of the todd haynes project 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/GKlWWQRvQA

— ً (@americanreqiuem) September 4, 2024

“I think if I do [speak about the reasoning], I’d just be sharing my opinion from my perspective, and the other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, and it just doesn’t feel like that would be right,” he said.

“I’m not sure how that would be helpful,” he added. “So I don’t think I will.”

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