Danny Ramirez opens up about Joaquin Phoenix leaving Todd Haynes' queer film

"It's definitely a very complicated situation," he said. "The audition process was extensive, and so what I walked away with that was just the artistic validation of throwing down opposite of [Phoenix] in this chemistry read…There was very intense dramatic scenes, there was a moment that I was like, 'Oh, I've arrived as a performer.' It felt like we were battling, and so I'm still excited, obviously, working with Todd…"

Ramirez saying he is "still excited" prompted Malkin to ask if the movie is still in the works.

"The most recent update is, 'hopefully.' But who knows? It's a complicated process," Ramriez said.

Malkin then asked about how he found out the film was canceled and what it felt like.

"It's definitely disappointing, because like, whenever you have the chance to throw down with someone of that caliber – obviously Todd as a director, and Joaquin – I think that's for me, obviously there's a lot more people that have been affected in different ways," Ramirez answered.

"If anything, it just gave me more inspiration to keep driving, keep pushing, and knowing that I'm on the right path and approaching the work the right way," he continued. "So that's what I'm excited about."