Danny Ramirez addresses Joaquin Phoenix leaving gay Todd Haynes film

In August, Joaquin Phoenix made headlines for dropping out of a movie at the last second. Now, his would-be co-star in the film, Danny Ramirez, has spoken out.

Variety's Marc Malkin interviewed Ramirez, who recently finished filming for the second season of The Last of Us, at the recent Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles and talked about a project he had lined up with Phoenix and director Todd Haynes.

Phoenix and Ramirez were supposed to star in the NC-17 gay romance about two men falling in love in the 1930s. Phoenix had approached Haynes with the idea for the movie.

In August, reports came out that Phoenix got "cold feet" and left the project just days before it was to begin filming.

Phoenix has declined to comment, but now, his almost-co-star has spoken out.

Malkin asked Ramirez if the news of Phoenix's departure was disappointing, which Ramirez confirmed.

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"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."