Joaquin Phoenix exits Todd Haynes gay drama five days before filming begins

Actor was set to lead an explicit love story set in 1930s but has left leaving the project to collapse

The Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix has dropped out of a new gay drama, directed by Todd Haynes, just five days before filming was set to begin.

According to Indiewire, Variety and Deadline, the actor is alleged to have got cold feet" and sources close to the film-makers have confirmed to the Guardian that the project is cancelled altogether with no plans to recast the role.