Joaquin Phoenix in full gay romance with Todd Haynes

Joaquin Phoenix will star in the next Todd Haynes movie

On May 22, 2023, the American director Todd Haynes (62 years old) confided to the site specializing in independent cinema Indiewire that the actor Joaquin Phoenix would perform a gay romance in his next film: “we hope to shoot early next year. It’s a gay love story set in 1930s Los Angeles. ” he specified to the American media. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles native is filming a miniseries for HBO with Kate Winsletalmost twelve years after the release of the series Mildred Pierce (2011) – Who told the alienating daily life of a single mother during the Great Depression (1929 -1939).

From his cult short film Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, featuring Barbie dolls as actresses in 1987 until the success of his feature film carol (2016) – telling the story of a forbidden love between two women – nominated for six Oscars, the achievements of Todd Haynesaddressing regularly societal themes, have been erected to the rank of essentials of American independent cinema. On the occasion of 76th Cannes Film Festivalthe Californian director presented his latest feature film entitled May-December, including in its cast Julianne Moore or Natalie Portman. A film in which the Oscar-winning actress in 2011 – for her role in the black swan by Darren Aronofsky – portrays on screen Elizabeth, an actress in search of a big role in the cinema.

A first gay role for Joaquin Phoenix

After the unforgettable memory left by his role as Joker in the film of the same name Todd Phillips (2019), actor Joaquin Phoenix is on all fronts. Currently showing at Beau is Afraid ofAri Asterhe is also preparing the shooting of Joker: Madness for two whose release is announced for October 2, 2024. Finally, thanks to Todd Haynes, he will slip into a completely new role for him, that of a homosexual character, once again demonstrating his art of pushing his limits. Todd Haynes also specified on this subject: “Joaquin pushed me to go further (…) the film will be classified NC-17 [interdit aux spectateurs âgés de moins de 17 ans].

Across the Atlantic, the announcement of the role of Joaquin Phoenix seems to have caused some controversy within the LGBT community. Some Internet users were indeed quite surprised by the casting choice of Todd Haynes and particularly reproach him for having chosen a heterosexual actor to take on the role of a homosexual character. Beyond a simple criticism, this debate raises the question of the representation and the possibilities offered to LGBTQ+ actors within the film industry.

Todd Haynes’ movie starring Joaquin Phoenix doesn’t have a title or release date at this time.