Joaquin Phoenix aims to push the envelope further on a new project with Carol director Todd Haynes. The two are apparently co-writing an NC-17 gay romance film that will take place in Los Angeles during the 1930s.

　　Haynes, who's currently promoting his film May December at the Cannes Film Festival, spoke with IndieWire about his future projects. It's then that he brought up his collaboration with Phoenix.

　　"The next film is a feature that's an original script that I developed with Joaquin Phoenix based on some thoughts and ideas he brought to me," Haynes said. "We basically wrote with him as a story writer. Me and Jon Raymond and Joaquin share the story credit. And we hope to be shooting it beginning early next year. It's a gay love story set in 1930s LA."

　　It was Phoenix that kept "pushing me further and going 'no, let's go further,'" Haynes added. That appears to be why the film will receive the uncommon and strictly adult rating. For perspective, Netflix's first NC-17 film was last year's Blonde, starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe.

　　As for Phoenix, he recently finished filming Joker 2, officially known as Joker: Folie à Deux. He co-stars in the DC sequel with Lady Gaga, with a release date set for October 4, 2024.

　　Phoenix can also be seen currently in Beau Is Afraid, which director Ari Aster referred to as the "Jewish Lord of the Rings."

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