Christine Vachon’s Latest Provocative Venture: “Pretty Babies” and the Turbulent Path to Production

Christine Vachon has spent more than 35 years championing idiosyncratic American independent cinema. In 1995 she co-founded Killer Films with Pamela Koffler, and the company’s logo—a cartoon bunny with a target—has become synonymous with irreverence and risk-taking. A recent commercial high, the rom-com *Materialists* starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, grossed $108 million worldwide.

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*Pretty Babies*, the latest Killer Films project, is written and directed by newcomer Tyler-Marie Evans. The film follows two teenage actors who flee to Los Angeles, become seduced by old-Hollywood glamour, and slip into sex work. The world premiere is scheduled for the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2026.

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The production hit a major snag when actor-producer Joaquin Phoenix, who originated the concept of a gay, sexually explicit period love story, withdrew five days before shooting was set to begin in August 2024. Variety estimated the resulting losses could exceed seven figures. Vachon posted on social media that speculation about the departure was unwarranted, emphasizing that the project was Phoenix’s idea and that she “doesn’t know what happened.” She declined to confirm whether Phoenix will receive a credit.

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• Christine Vachon – trailblazing producer, co-founder of Killer Films.

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• Pamela Koffler – co-founder of Killer Films.

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• Tyler-Marie Evans – writer-director of *Pretty Babies*.

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• Joaquin Phoenix – actor-producer who withdrew.

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• Todd Haynes – director of several Vachon-produced films.

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• Peter Biskind – film historian who has criticized Vachon’s temperament.

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• Over 35 years in independent film production.

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• *Materialists* earned $108 million at the box office.

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• *Pretty Babies* lists three primary producers and 36 additional producer credits.

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• Financial impact of Phoenix’s exit projected to exceed seven figures.

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Vachon posted that critics should not “finger wag or admonish us” and stressed the project was Phoenix’s initiative. She also described crew resistance to a female director of photography on an earlier film, claiming she herself was “terrorised by them.”

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Film historian Peter Biskind alleged Vachon possessed a “formidable temper” and “terrorised the British crew” of *Velvet Goldmine* (1998). Vachon refuted the claim, saying the crew’s old-school attitudes made her the one being terrorised.

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The precise reason for Phoenix’s departure remains unclear. An unnamed source cited to Variety suggested “cold feet,” while Vachon said she “doesn’t know what happened” and offered no further details.

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• “I don’t think we’ve ever made a movie that somebody hasn’t been offended by,” — Christine Vachon

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• “We love to encourage stories that feel personal and provocative and have something to say,” — Christine Vachon

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*Pretty Babies* will debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2026. Vachon has indicated she will continue to produce independent films that push boundaries and provoke discussion.

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