Aug 16
Amidst Joaquin Phoenix Exit, Could Gay Wrestler Anthony Bowens Step in to Save Todd Haynes' Gay Romance Movie? Gay Twitter Thinks So
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Days before filming was set to commence, Joaquin Phoenix pulled out of Todd Haynes' latest movie. But could out wrestler Anthony Bowens make the queer detective yarn his feature film debut?
Gay Twitter would be totally down for it if he did.
Responding to a tweet from "EastSiders" creator Kit Williamson, who railed on reports that the role Phoenix was intended to play will not be recast – thereby effectively canceling the production, for which sets had been built and money spent – Bowen seemed to suggest that resuscitating the film is a ring he'd be willing to jump into.
Williamson's post declared that the reason for the role not being re-cast "is that studios are ONLY comfortable making high budget 'gay movies' if there's a straight lead."
"Even in a Todd Haynes movie," Williamson's post added. "Even if it means losing 7 figures. They're not interested in recasting, bc a gay actor, to them, can never be a 'star.'"
Confirming previous reports that Phoenix had abruptly left the film last month a mere handful of days prior to the start of filming, Variety quoted a source "close to the production" as saying that the renowned actor – star of the 2019 hit "Joker" – had gotten "cold feet" about the film, which reports suggested would have contained steamy gay content.
But it's unclear whether Phoenix, who brought the project to Haynes and helped create the story, may have been so deeply enmeshed with the production that there are other reasons (such as rights to the film) why recasting his role was not possible.
Either way, though, gay Twitter reveled in the idea of Bowens taking on his first feature film in the role that was originally intended for Phoenix.
"PLEASE" one fan responded.
"Hell yeah!" another enthused.
"I hope so," another commented. "It goes back to Taika Waititi's quote on inclusivity."
One exchange even touched on how Bowens would fare in another role: a pro baseball player.
Check out some of Anthony Bowens' Instagram pics and decide for yourself whether he might soar in a Todd Haynes picture.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
