Pedro Pascal Replaces Phoenix in Haynes' De Noche

Pedro Pascal has joined the cast of director Todd Haynes' upcoming queer romance film De Noche, stepping into the lead role originally intended for Joaquin Phoenix, whose abrupt departure in 2024 halted production. The project, now secured with new financing, is set to begin filming in March 2026 in Mexico.

The film, co-written by Haynes and his longtime collaborator Jon Raymond, is a noir-inspired drama set in 1930s Los Angeles amid widespread corruption and the looming threat of global war. It follows the passionate love affair between a hardboiled detective, played by Pascal, and a boarding school teacher, portrayed by Danny Ramirez. As their relationship deepens, the two men draw the ire of the city's powerful political machine and are compelled to flee across the border to Mexico. Producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler are overseeing the production through their company Killer Films, with French financier MK2 Films handling international sales and co-repping domestic rights alongside Cinetic Media.

Phoenix, who helped develop the screenplay and was attached to the project for years, exited just five days before cameras were scheduled to roll in August 2024....