After Joaquin Phoenix suddenly exited De Noche last year, many wondered how insurable the actor might be for future productions. As far as we know, Phoenix is not acting in any film this year — aside, apparently, from what may be his directorial debut.
That possibility emerged after actress Holly Lisker posted on Instagram about a shoot currently taking place in New York City. According to her post, the film is titled “Exit Right,” with Phoenix serving as director.
What remains unclear is whether this is the same “Exit Right” project that had previously been linked to director Thomas A. Morgan and reportedly starred Susan Sarandon and William H. Macy.
Furthermore, I found a casting grid listing the production for “Exit Right” as beginning filming on May 11, which is currently the strongest indication that this may indeed be the project Phoenix is now shooting. It might just be a very lowkey shoot that completely bypassed reporting.
At the moment, there’s no trade announcement confirming Phoenix’s directorial debut, which is notable because a Joaquin-directed feature would normally generate immediate coverage. That absence makes me think the production is very indie/under-the-radar, and/or operating quietly after the fallout from “De Noche.”
As for the insurance angle: if Phoenix is directing rather than starring, that potentially changes the calculus considerably. Concerns after the Todd Haynes collapse were largely centered on actor reliability and completion risk. A small independently financed directing project would involve a different insurance profile altogether.
So the short answer is, yes, it probably is the same “Exit Right” project tied to Sarandon and Macy. Morgan might have been replaced by Phoenix. We’ll learn more soon.