Pedro Pascal Joins Todd Haynes Lavender Film ‘De Noche’ Following Joaquin Phoenix’s Exit
Pedro Pascal replaces Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes's NC-17-rated 1930s gay romance with MK2 financing and Danny Ramirez co-starring, production restarting after a year.
- On Wednesday, Todd Haynes's long-delayed film De Noche was officially revived with Pedro Pascal stepping into the lead role vacated by Joaquin Phoenix, moving the project forward after more than a year.
- After Joaquin Phoenix's sudden exit five days before shooting in August 2024, production shut down despite sets built and locations secured in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the story follows a detective and a boarding-school teacher whose love may earn an NC-17 rating, with Ramirez cast as Pascal's on-screen lover.
- MK2 Films stepped in to finance and handle international sales, producing alongside Killer Films with Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, as shooting is slated to start next month.
- Haynes says the story links to themes of corruption and love's endurance, with MK2 launching sales at the European Film Market to position the film globally.
26 Articles
26 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)Pedro Pascal saves Todd Haynes’ gay romance after Joaquin Phoenix exit
Phoenix reportedly quit project five days before filming was set to begin in 2014
This is not a drill: Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez are playing lovers in their upcoming film
If you’re a fan of The Last Of Us, we have some good news for you. It’s been confirmed that two of the show’s stars, Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez, are starring in a new film De Noche. And if that wasn’t good enough, the two will play on-screen lovers… so things are bound to get steamy. What is De Noche about? Directed by Todd Haynes (whose last film May December earned an Oscar nomination for best screenplay), the film takes place in 1930s Los…
Todd Haynes "De Noche" Sets Pascal, Filming
It was expected, and now it’s official – Pedro Pascal will play a hard-boiled detective opposite Danny Ramirez as his younger lover in “Carol” and “May December” filmmaker Todd Haynes’ new film “De Noche”. Pascal steps into the role that was originally earmarked for Joaquin Phoenix, who originally reportedly came to Haynes with the gay detective noir feature which is being penned by Haynes and longtime collaborator Jon Raymond. Phoenix would’ve …
Pedro Pascal’s ‘De Noche’ Drama Explained: Why Joaquin Phoenix Left, More
Pedro Pascal will reunite with Danny Ramirez for the upcoming gay romance De Noche following Joaquin Phoenix’s surprising exit. “This story, with Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez in the two leads, arises out of an era — all too relevant to our own — of domestic corruption, racial exploitation and global terror,” writer and director Todd Haynes told Variety in a statement in February 2026 after news broke that the film had found its new lead in Pas…
Pedro Pascal replaces Joaquin Phoenix; to star opposite Danny Ramirez in Todd Haynes’ ‘De Noche’
Pedro Pascal steps in for Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes' 'De Noche', a compelling love story set against a backdrop of political corruption in Mexico, alongside Danny Ramirez. Scheduled to start filming next month, this film promises to showcase Pascal's talents as a leading man.
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