By now, you probably are aware of the situation involving Joaquin Phoenix and the Todd Haynes film. Recently, it was revealed that Phoenix walked away from an upcoming Haynes film just five days before filming was set to begin in Mexico. It left everyone else involved in a terrible positioning, forcing the whole project to get shelved. And one of the folks directly involved was none other than up-and-coming actor Danny Ramirez. 

Continue reading Danny Ramirez Said “It’s Definitely Disappointing” When Joaquin Phoenix Abruptly Left Todd Haynes Film at The Playlist.

It’s unclear if Todd Haynes will ever return to his shelved queer romance drama after Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of the project just days before filming was set to begin. But if Haynes still wants to make it, Lewis Pullman is happy to take on Phoenix’s role.

READ MORE: Joaquin Phoenix Kills Todd Haynes’ Gay Detective Film By Dropping Out At The Last Minute

IndieWire (via Variety) reports that Pullman wants to join his “Top Gun: Maverick” co-star Danny Ramirez on the untitled film and possibly revive it from its unfortunate fate.

Continue reading Lewis Pullman Says He’s “Here” To Replace Joaquin Phoenix In Todd Haynes’ Scrapped Queer Romance: “I Would Love To Get That Call” at The Playlist.

At this point, we all know the drama surrounding Todd Haynes’ unmade film he was developing with Joaquin Phoenix. The two of them were working closely on a new film that was just several days from filming when Phoenix unexpectedly dropped out, leaving the project dead. Money was lost, Phoenix’s name has been tarnished, and Haynes was left with no film to make. And according to one of the filmmaker’s producers, the latter bit is the true tragedy.

Continue reading Producer Calls Joaquin Phoenix/Todd Haynes Drama A “Tragedy” Because It Wasted Haynes’ Time at The Playlist.

One of the biggest controversies in Hollywood this past week is the news about Joaquin Phoenix abandoning Todd Haynes’ new film just several days before filming was to begin. The project was left in a lurch since no one could replace Phoenix, and therefore, people lost jobs and financiers lost a lot of money. But according to a new report from THR, this isn’t the first time in recent history that Phoenix has threatened to leave a job right before filming. 

Continue reading Joaquin Phoenix Demanded Paul Thomas Anderson Rewrite ‘Napoleon’ Script Before Production at The Playlist.

Late last week, it was revealed that Joaquin Phoenix left the production of Todd Haynes’ new film just a matter of days ahead of filming. No reasons were given, but there has been a lot of speculation why Phoenix would leave the project, effectively canceling the film. 

READ MORE: Joaquin Phoenix Kills Todd Haynes’ Gay Detective Film By Dropping Out At The Last Minute

In a social media post (via People), producer Christine Vachon talked a bit about what happened, saying it was a “nightmare” situation.

Continue reading Producer Calls Joaquin Phoenix/Todd Haynes Situation A “Nightmare” & Defends Casting A Straight Man For A Gay Role at The Playlist.

All right, this news report came from me, but I couldn’t confirm it through any proper channels. Regardless, Deadline and several trades have confirmed my report: Joaquin Phoenix has dropped out of Todd Haynes’ gay detective movie co-starring Danny Ramirez.

Sources told me recently that Phoenix dropped out of the film just a handful of days before production was meant to begin, putting the entire production and film in peril.

Continue reading Joaquin Phoenix Kills Todd Haynes’ Gay Detective Film By Dropping Out At The Last Minute at The Playlist.

Is Danny Ramirez poised for a breakout? The “Top Gun: Maverick” actor is everywhere these days, including “Black Mirror” Season 6, Sundance darling “Winner,” and the upcoming queer romance “From Chestnut.” And that list doesn’t include upcoming roles in “Captain America: Brave New World” and “The Last Of Us” Season 2 either.

Continue reading Danny Ramirez Joins Joaquin Phoenix On Todd Haynes’ Upcoming Detective Film at The Playlist.

A lot of people might think the era of Prestige TV began in 2013 or 2014, with the release of “House of Cards” or “True Detective.” But really, you can look at something like 2011’s “Mildred Pierce” as the start. And the people behind that limited series are teaming up yet again for a new HBO series, “Trust.”

READ MORE: ‘The Regime’ Review: Kate Winslet Chews Every Scene In HBO’s Smart Deconstruction Of Political Upheaval

According to Variety, Todd Haynes is set to co-write and direct a new limited series, “Trust,” starring Kate Winslet.

Continue reading ‘Trust’: Todd Haynes To Write & Direct New HBO Series Starring Kate Winslet at The Playlist.

Getting a film made when it doesn’t involve superheroes or isn’t part of a larger franchise is growing more and more difficult in Hollywood. Even when you have an Oscar-caliber people attached, such as director Todd Haynes and star Michelle Williams, getting financing for a film is just increasingly hard to do. So, in the case of the film, “Fever,” the film isn’t getting made, at this point in time, but the interest is there from the two aforementioned folks.

Continue reading ‘Fever’: Todd Haynes Says “The Interest Hasn’t Gone Away” In Making His Peggy Lee Biopic Starring Michelle Williams at The Playlist.

Todd Haynes’ critically acclaimed drama “May December” starring Oscar-winners Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, launched at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. And it is now entering the fall award season with a bang and will surely be a hot ticket as a top-tier awards contender (read our review here).

The chance to watch two excellent actresses go toe-to-toe is constantly enticing, and “May December” offers Portman and Moore their best parts in years, and both actresses deliver terrific awards-caliber performances.

Continue reading ‘May December’ Trailer: Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore Star In Todd Haynes’ Acclaimed Oscar-Bound Drama at The Playlist.

Todd Haynes is not a filmmaker who is afraid to take risks. When you look at his films, Haynes often tells stories of relationships that push the lines of decency. Not necessarily in some sort of explicit sexual way, but definitely in terms of societal taboos. Now, with Oscar buzz being built around his latest film, “May December,” it appears Haynes is ready to push his storytelling expertise even further with the help of one of the best actors working today.

Continue reading Todd Haynes Says Joaquin Phoenix Has Helped Push Their Upcoming Gay Drama Into More “Dangerous Sexual Territory” at The Playlist.

Sure, we’re knee-deep in fall film festival time, as we transition from Venice to TIFF and plan ahead for Telluride, NYFF, and the rest, but we can’t forget about those standout films from the festivals earlier this year. One of those films is Todd Haynes’ upcoming “May December.” 

READ MORE: ‘May December’ Review: An Actor Prepares In Todd Haynes’ Superlative Age-Gap Dramedy [Cannes]

While the new teaser for “May December” doesn’t really tell you much about the plot, it does show you how well received Todd Haynes’ film was when it debuted at this year’s Cannes.

Continue reading ‘May December’ Teaser: Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore Star In Todd Haynes’ Acclaimed Film at The Playlist.

Venice may have Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” with Zendaya and Josh O’Connor to open the annual soiree on the Liido, but the New York Film Festival is going to kick off with some Cannes gold. Today, the Film Society of Lincoln Center revealed that Todd Haynes’ “May December,” which premiered on la Croisette, will open the 61st edition of the New York Film Festival. Stars Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman and Charles Melton are expected to attend, assuming SAG doesn’t go on strike later this week.

Continue reading ‘May December’ To Open The 2024 New York Film Festival at The Playlist.

Since producing Todd Haynes’ Sundance-winning drama “Poison” in 1991, Christine Vachon has helped bring some of the most unique and memorable independent films to the big – and small screen. Her work, which includes over 100 films and television projects, ranges from ushering in debut films from directors like Rose Troche and Mary Harron to Oscar dramas like “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Far From Heaven,” to prestige TV like HBO’s “Mildred Pierce” and Netflix’s “Halston.” Within her tremendous filmography, there is one common thread: Vachon has an eye for filmmakers with strong, clear artistic vision. 

Continue reading Christine Vachon: Todd Haynes & Pioneering Film Producer Talks ‘Past Lives’ & Cinema’s Indie Future [Karlovy Vary Interview] at The Playlist.

CANNES – It was a warm afternoon on la Croisette when Todd Haynes sat down to chat about his celebrated new drama, “May December.” The Killer Films produced project still hadn’t been acquired yet (Netflix picked up North American rights for a reported $11 million), but the “Carol” auteur was in good spirits. Maybe he’d read the reviews. Maybe he hadn’t. But his gut instinct that the Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore two-fer was special was clearly right on.

Continue reading Todd Haynes On Natalie Portman’s ‘May December’ Scene Everyone Will Be Talking About [Interview] at The Playlist.

Even though “May December” has only just premiered at Cannes and has yet to officially get a release date around the world, film fans are curious about what filmmaker Todd Haynes has lined up next. Well, we’re not completely sure what’s actually next. We know he’s working with Joaquin Phoenix on a new 1930s-set “gay love story.” He’s also got a new film with Michelle Williams that’s supposed to get done at some point.

Continue reading Todd Haynes Is Working With Kate Winslet On A New HBO Project at The Playlist.

Recently, after his new film, “May December,” debuted at Cannes, filmmaker Todd Haynes teased what might be his next project. All that was said is the film will star Joaquin Phoenix and will be about two gay men in the 1930s. Now, he’s shedding a bit more light on that, including what might be a controversial anticipated rating.

READ MORE: ‘May December’ First Clip: Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore Star In Todd Haynes’ Cannes Film

In a new interview with IndieWire, Todd Haynes talked about the wealth of new projects he has cooking right now.

Continue reading Todd Haynes Says Upcoming Joaquin Phoenix “Gay Love Story” Will Be NC-17 at The Playlist.

Coming into Cannes 2023, there was a lot of discussion about Todd Haynes’ new dramedy, “May December.” Haynes is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers working today and his latest stars none other than Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, two of the most respected actors in the world. It appears, judging by early reviews, “May December” delivers the goods and is likely going to be in the mix come awards season.

Continue reading ‘May December’ First Clip: Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore Star In Todd Haynes’ Cannes Film at The Playlist.

Todd Haynes is having a great Cannes, isn’t he? His new film, “May December,” has earned rave reviews (including our own), with folks already predicting Oscars love. And now, it appears he has nothing but amazing projects to talk about coming in the future, including a new film with Joaquin Phoenix.

READ MORE: ‘May December’ Review: An Actor Prepares In Todd Haynes’ Superlative Age-Gap Dramedy [Cannes]

Speaking to the French outlet, Les Inrockuptibles, Todd Haynes was asked quite a bit about his new Cannes film, but he also gave some hints as to what is coming in the future.

Continue reading Joaquin Phoenix & Todd Haynes Developing A New Film About Two Gay Men In The 1930s at The Playlist.

In “May December,” there’s trouble in the paradise of Savannah, Georgia, where the skeins of Spanish moss draped over corridors of trees wave in the gentle coastal zephyrs with each night’s picture-perfect sunset. Spouses Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) have opened their palatial home for a backyard BBQ; he’s manning the grill, and she’s darting about trying to make everything just right, each well aware of their role to play.

Continue reading ‘May December’ Review: An Actor Prepares In Todd Haynes’ Superlative Age-Gap Dramedy [Cannes] at The Playlist.

CANNES – Perhaps it was the fact we’ve reached the halfway point of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and the media have reached an inevitable breaking point with lack of sleep. Or maybe it was the often (but not talways) demure personalities of “May December’s” Oscar-winning stars, Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. But the press conference for Todd Haynes‘ latest drama didn’t really come alive until the end of the proceedings when the acclaimed filmmaker was asked by an international journalist to clarify what the film’s title actually meant.

Continue reading Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore On Their “You Got This” ‘May December’ Moment [Cannes] at The Playlist.

It’s been nearly four years since Todd Haynes released a new narrative feature film. Thankfully, that’s changing later this year with the release of his new film, “May December.” 

READ MORE: ‘Superstar’: Todd Haynes Says His Banned Carpenters Movie May Finally Get An Official Release

And with a Cannes debut on the horizon for Todd Haynes’ “May December,” Variety has just published a first-look photo of the new film which stars Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman.

Continue reading ‘May December’ First Look: Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore Star In Todd Haynes’ Upcoming Cannes Film at The Playlist.

Cinephiles take note, it’s that good cineaste time of the month: The Criterion Collection has unveiled its latest line-up, this time for December to wrap up 2022. The boutique DVD-Blu-Ray label is ending the year with quite a bang, including two trilogy box sets—one from Austrian fear-meister Michael Haneke and one from the lesser-known Mai Zetterling, a Swedish actor turned director who worked with Ingmar Bergman and then started making her own films in the 1960s.

Continue reading Criterion’s December 2022 Titles Include A Michael Haneke Trilogy Box Set, ‘Cooley High’ & More at The Playlist.

What’s Todd Haynes up to since his first documentary, “The Velvet Underground,” about the iconic band, won over critics at Cannes last year and audiences on AppleTV+? He has “May December” on deck, announced at the virtual Cannes market last June, which reunites the director with Julianne Moore and will be his first time working with Natalie Portman.

Continue reading ‘Superstar’: Todd Haynes Says His Banned Carpenters Movie May Finally Get An Official Release at The Playlist.

Actress Michelle Williams and filmmaker Kelly Reichardt (“Wendy & Lucy“) have reunited for the drama “Showing Up,” a low-budget pic that sees Williams play a tightly wound artist named Lizzie. The film will be heading to the Canes Film Festival where it is notably one of the few movies playing there that has been helmed by a female director.

During a new interview with Variety, Williams talked about “Showing Up” and gave updates on other dramatic projects that have been in development for a while now.

Continue reading Michelle Williams Says Todd Haynes’ Peggy Lee Biopic Is Dead & Talks About Speaking Out On Pay Equity In Hollywood at The Playlist.