Pedro Pascal is reportedly being considered for the lead role in acclaimed director Todd Haynes’s upcoming queer romance drama De Noche, set in the 1930s.
The casting development comes after Joaquin Phoenix, who was originally attached to the project, exited just days before production was scheduled to begin in August 2024.
According to Deadline, the film is now moving forward under Killer Films, with production set to officially commence in Guadalajara, Mexico, in early 2026. Pascal is expected to play opposite Danny Ramirez, portraying his lover in a story that explores themes of passion, identity, and forbidden romance during a time of strict societal constraints.
Phoenix had been heavily involved in the early development of the film, collaborating with Haynes and author Jon Raymond on the script. However, his sudden withdrawal put the project on hold. Haynes, reflecting on the early stages in a 2023 interview with IndieWire, explained that Phoenix had pushed the story’s boundaries: “Joaquin was pushing me further and going, ‘No, let’s go further.’ The whole experience was prompted by his daring, his desire to push through barriers and explore uncomfortable truths within this relationship.”
Despite the setback, Haynes remained committed to the vision, and the project has now found new momentum with Pascal potentially stepping into the lead. Known for his versatility, Pascal has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, with a slate of high-profile roles across film and television.
This summer alone, Pascal appeared in three major releases — Materialists, Eddington (co-starring Joaquin Phoenix), and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. His addition to De Noche is expected to bring star power and global attention to the project.
With Pascal and Ramirez set to headline, De Noche is shaping up to be one of Haynes’s most anticipated films, promising a bold exploration of love and desire against the backdrop of the 1930s. Filming is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with further casting announcements expected in the coming months.