Producer of Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Movie on Joaquin Phoenix’s Exit: “The Idea That Todd’s Time Was Wasted Is Tragic”

Christine Vachon of Killer Films, a long-time collaborator of Todd Haynes ' who was meant to be producing the director's project with Joaquin Phoenix before he exited as shooting was set to start , has told "the truth" of the situation and described what she believes is the most tragic part.

Vachon spoke at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Tuesday to discuss the sustainability of making films in an ever-changing industry. When asked about Phoenix pulling out of the gay romance movie — reportedly putting hundreds of crew members out of work — she said she felt most for Haynes.

"The truth is, pretty much what happened is out there for all of you to see," Vachon began. "If I had anything to gossip about it, I would, but I don't. It was tragic. The most tragic part about it, in my mind, is Todd Hughes is 62. There's a finite number of films that they'll be able to do in his lifetime. I consider him one of the most extraordinary film artists of his generation.

"The idea that his time was wasted and that a movie is not a result of those years of working closely with Joaquin, that is the tragedy to me and that I can't get over," Vachon continued. "We, as a cultural community, lost an opportunity to have another movie by Todd Haynes. That is just criminal."

Vachon had previously commented that the situation was a "nightmare" in the days after Phoenix's exit.

Vachon and Pamela Koffler head up Killer Films. The untitled film, also starring Captain America: Brave New World's Danny Ramirez, was said to focus on an intense gay romance in the 1930s.

Phoenix is currently doing press for Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie a Deux , which premieres in October after debuting at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. There, Phoenix declined to share his point of view on what transpired, saying: "The other creatives aren't here to say their piece, and it just doesn't feel like that would be right. I'm not sure how that would be helpful, so I just don't think I will," he added.

San Sebastian Film Festival runs from Sept. 20-28.