US producer Christine Vachon has again addressed the controversy surrounding Joaquin Phoenix’s sudden departure from Todd Haynes’ gay drama days before shooting was due to begin.
Speaking in San Sebastian yesterday (September 24) in a fireside talk at the festival’s Creative Investors conference, the Killer Films producer initially refused to be drawn on the subject and claimed she didn’t know much more about the situation than had already been reported. “Pretty much, what happened is available for you to read,” Vachon said in a fireside talk at the festival’s Creative Investors conference yesterday (September 24). Initially, she refused to comment on the subject and claimed that she didn’t know more than had been reported. Vachon told Wendy Mitchell, the event moderator: “I don’t really know much more. I’m sorry. I don’t.” “I’d gossip if I had anything to gossip about but I don’t.”
However, the producer went on to describe the last-minute implosion of the project as “tragic”.
“The most tragic part about it in my mind is that Todd Haynes is 62. He’s not old, but he has a limited number of films that he can make in his lifetime. I consider him to be one of the most remarkable film artists of his time. It is criminal.” That is just criminal.”
Vachon also acknowledged the fallout from the controversy could affect investor confidence in risky and offbeat ventures.
“One of the other tragedies of the Joaquin Phoenix project is that we did have fantastic partners who were willing to take risks with us, some of whom are here
and not chasing me with a crowbar.
“When something like that happens, I know that it sends a shockwave through the industry – like, ‘Oh fuck, if a company like Killer, a star like Joaquin, a filmmaker like Todd… if that fell at the finish line, then how will we take a risk on a first-time filmmaker or the actor who is still up and coming, the writer who is up and coming?'”[at the conference]Vachon also claimed that last year’s Hollywood strikes were more damaging to the industry than Covid. “It lasted a lot longer than anyone thought.” But also, a lot of writers and directors who were getting their first breaks really got scuttled, and I don’t know if they will ever truly recover.” Vachon added that she attended all Oscar-related events. I was thrilled, and I wasn’t at all cynical about it,” Vachon said. She added that she attended every Oscar-related event she could find. We all know this. Sometimes a spooky movie is nominated. We all know it. But I can’t say that.
