James McAvoy says Joaquin Phoenix “ditched” M. Night Shyamalan movie Split last minute

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As a long-time movie enthusiast and follower of the industry, I can’t help but be intrigued by the enigma that is Joaquin Phoenix. His latest antics have certainly added another layer to his complex persona. It seems like he’s got a knack for dropping out of movies at the last minute, as evident in his sudden departures from Todd Haynes’ upcoming film and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split.

Recently, actor Joaquin Phoenix caused quite a stir when he unexpectedly withdrew from Todd Haynes’ upcoming film, which is believed to be a gay romance, only a few days before production was set to commence. Rumors swirled that Phoenix might have been hesitant about the film’s theme. However, it seems like his reluctance may stem more from a pattern of last-minute withdrawals from movies in general, rather than any apprehension about the subject matter specifically.

This information stems from James McAvoy, a co-star of Phoenix, who is actively promoting his latest film “Speak No Evil.” On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, McAvoy revealed that Phoenix pulled out of M. Night Shyamalan’s 2016 horror movie “Split” just before filming was about to start: “Apparently, he bailed out around two weeks before they started shooting, which was quite last-minute.

In the movie “Split,” James McAvoy was tapped to portray a complex lead character, a serial killer with multiple personalities. He delivered an outstanding performance, especially given the tight timeline he had to prepare. The film is often credited for rejuvenating M. Night Shyamalan’s career following a series of less successful projects, and it undoubtedly boosted McAvoy’s as well. In 2019, he reprised his role in the sequel “Glass,” although it wasn’t as highly regarded as its predecessor.

McAvoy openly admires Phoenix’s acting skills, but it’s important to clarify that this isn’t just gossip; he’s merely sharing information. However, this appreciation comes amidst rumors about Phoenix being challenging on set, which adds a complex layer to his career narrative. Furthermore, there are whispers that during the filming of his upcoming movie “Joker: Folie à Deux,” he requested numerous last-minute script changes.

But hey, Phoenix won an Oscar for playing the Joker the first time around, so maybe his methods work for him, even if they sound like a bit of a pain to put up with. The Joker sequel hits theaters on October 4.

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2024-09-16 18:41