Joaquin Phoenix is not going to work with Signs director M. Night Shyamalan again. The actor has reportedly dropped out of the director’s next film and could be replaced by James McAvoy.
Back in August, Phoenix was linked to the new movie, which would follow Shyamalan’s The Visit. It would have been the third film for the two, following Signs (2002) and The Village (2004).
However, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Phoenix has dropped out. McAvoy is now in talks to take over the lead role in the film, which still doesn’t have a title. The site reports that Phoenix never signed a deal and the talks never passed the general discussion stage.
TheWrap also confirmed that McAvoy is in talks.
The plot for the new film is unknown, but it is expected to film next month in Philadelphia. It will be produced by Jason Blum, who also produced The Visit. Marc Bienstock is also producing with Ashwin Rajan and Steven Schneider executive producing.
The Visit cost just $5 million to make and earned Shyamalan his best reviews in years. The film has grossed $53 million so far.
As for McAvoy, he will next be seen in Victor Frankenstein with Daniel Radcliffe on Nov. 25. He also just finished filming X-Men: Apocalypse.