Joaquin Phoenix breaks silence on his abrupt exit from Todd Haynes’ NC-17 gay romance [Video]

Joaquin Phoenix broke his silence on his quick split from Todd Haynes’ NC-17 gay romance film during a Venice Film Festival press conference.

The 49-year-old actor — who appeared alongside Lady Gaga and director Todd Phillips ahead of the Joker: Folie à Deux premiere — made headlines after exiting the project just five days before production started, leaving the cast, crew, and co-star Danny Ramirez hanging.

Further complicating the matter was the fact Phoenix initially brought the idea for the “sexually dangerous” LGBTQ+ film to Phillips. Now, insiders in Hollywood’s producing community call for “legal action to be brought” against him.

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Still, if the Oscar winner worries about legal ramifications or feels remorse for leaving the project on ice, he isn’t showing it.

Phoenix gave a slow but evasive answerafter a reporter asked if he wanted to …