Pedro Pascal Was ‘Born to Play’ NC-17 Movie Role That Joaquin Phoenix Quit

'De Noche' Producer Praises Pedro Pascal, Danny Ramirez's Performances

As De Noche is revived following the casting of a new leading man, Christine Vachon is happy with the new version of the film. The producer of Todd Haynes’ upcoming queer romance recently praised Pedro Pascal as “born to play” the lead, a year after the Golden Globe nominee stepped in for original star Joaquin […]

Christine Vachon jokes she prefers Pedro Pascal over Joaquin Phoenix

Christine Vachon is finally able to laugh about one of the most difficult moments of her career. While appearing at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the veteran producer reflected on the long and complicated journey behind Todd Haynes’ De Noche. During the conversation, moderator Wendy Mitchell jokingly remarked that she preferred Pedro Pascal over Joaquin Phoenix. Without missing a beat, Vachon smiled and admitted that she “kind of” a…

Pedro Pascal Was ‘Born to Play’ NC-17 Movie Role That Joaquin Phoenix Quit

Photo Credit: mk2 Films Pedro Pascal may have found the role he was “born to play” after Joaquin Phoenix quit Todd Haynes’ upcoming movie. Producer Christine Vachon made the comment while praising Pascal’s performance in the reworked gay romance on Friday, August 14, 2026. The film, titled De Noche, underwent a complete production overhaul after Phoenix walked away from the project in summer 2024 just days before filming was set to commence. Pas…

Christine Vachon Jokes She Likes Pedro Pascal Better Than Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes’ ‘De Noche’

The prolific indie producer spoke at an Edinburgh Film Festival session, where she also touched on the queer film landscape: "We have 'Heated Rivalry' which couldn't be a bigger hit, and we still have politicians campaigning on who gets to use what bathroom."

Vachon hails Pedro Pascal as ‘a revelation’ in De Noche, the role Joaquin Phoenix abandoned

Hollywood has a favorite way of laundering its accidents into destiny: the part one star walks away from becomes the role another was, in hindsight, born to play. Christine Vachon leaned all the way into that mythology at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, reframing the near-collapse of Todd Haynes’ De Noche not as a production catastrophe but as the detour that handed the film its ideal lead in Pedro Pascal. Speaking in a career-spannin…

Christine Vachon on resurrecting Todd Haynes’ ‘De Noche’ with ...

Vachon discusses how Pedro Pascal came to the film after Joaquin Phoenix stepped away.