Joaquin Phoenix departed Todd Haynes‘ planned NC-17 gay romance, and now one of the film’s producers is speaking out.

Christine Vachon of Killer Films shared an article to Facebook about the 49-year-old actor dropping out five days before production, and addressed speculation that his sudden departure had to do with the film’s LGBTQ content.

“A version of this did happen. It has been a nightmare,” she began, via People.

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“And PLEASE — if you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that ‘that’s what you get for casting a straight actor’ — DON’T,” she went on to say. “This was HIS project that he brought to US– and Killer’s record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (and for those of you who HAVE — know that you are making a terrible situation even worse).”

The producer worked with the director on 1991′s Poison, Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998), Far From Heaven (2002), I’m Not There (2007) and Carol (2015), along with producing Stonewall (1995), Kids (1995), I Shot Andy Warhol (1996), Boys Don’t Cry (1999), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Camp (2003) and Party Monster (2003).

The movie was set to star Joaquin and Danny Ramirez as two men in the 1930s who develop an intense romantic relationship and leave Los Angeles for Mexico.

The actor reportedly stormed off the set two weeks ago in Guadalajara, Mexico, and producers have since been trying to save project before the production completely fell apart. Local crew members are due money. Get more details about his departure.