Pedro Pascal joins De Noche following Joaquin Phoenix’s unexpected withdrawal from the project in July 2024, just five days before filming was to start in Guadalajara, Mexico. This sudden exit occurred amid a tense atmosphere, leaving the cast and crew scrambling mere days before production began on the period detective romance.
The 2014 timeline of Phoenix’s initial involvement resurfaced, revealing a similar pattern where he had reportedly quit at the last moment before filming. Sources revealed to Variety that Phoenix experienced intense hesitation, described as “cold feet,” prompting his abrupt departure. This decision caused significant frustration and anger among the production team, according to an executive who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter.
At the Joker: Folie à Deux press conference in 2024, Phoenix addressed his withdrawal without elaborating, stating,
“I think, if I do, I‘d just be sharing my opinion from my perspective and the other creatives aren’t here to say their piece, and I just don’t feel like that would be right. I’m not sure how that would be helpful. So, I just don’t think I will.”
Pascal Steps In to Lead a Complex Love Story
In the wake of Phoenix’s exit, MK2 Films announced that Pedro Pascal would take on the starring role in De Noche, alongside Danny Ramirez, known for Top Gun: Maverick. Pascal confirmed the casting news through an Instagram post featuring images from Todd Haynes’ films and a photo with Ramirez.
Filming is scheduled to begin next month, marking Pascal’s third collaboration with Ramirez. The pair previously worked together on HBO’s The Last of Us and will reunite again for the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday. MK2 Films, along with Killer Films, Paloma Negra Films, Jonathan Montepare, and Steven Demmler, are producing the movie with support from Cinetic Media.
Todd Haynes on the Film’s Themes and Setting
Director Todd Haynes, who has built a reputation for directing thought-provoking queer cinema such as Carol (2015) and May December (2023), first teased De Noche in a 2023 Variety interview as a
“love story between two men set in the ’30s that has explicit sexual content.”
Explaining the story’s broader context, Haynes described it as emerging
“out of an era – all too relevant to our own – of domestic corruption, racial exploitation and global terror.”
He added,
“But it emerges as a testament to the inexplicable powers of desire and love to survive and overcome even the most crippling of human barriers.”
The plot centers on the unlikely romance between a detective, played by Pascal, and a boarding school teacher, portrayed by Ramirez. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the two characters are forced to flee to Mexico due to circumstances, highlighting themes of love under pressure and societal rejection.
Creative Origins and Challenges of the Film
Joaquin Phoenix was initially deeply involved in developing the screenplay alongside Haynes and his longtime collaborator Jon Raymond. Haynes described the script as an original work inspired by ideas Phoenix brought to the table, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
Haynes noted,
“[Phoenix] had fragments of ideas and then I started to formulate them into an actual narrative,”
adding that
“Joaquin was pushing it further into more dangerous territory, sexually.”
This intent to break new ground reflected the film’s planned NC-17 rating, emphasizing explicit content that aims to challenge audiences.
Known for his anxiety in pre-production phases, Phoenix nearly withdrew from another major project, the 2023 biopic Napoleon, reportedly insisting on the involvement of Paul Thomas Anderson for script rewrites. This pattern illustrates the pressures and emotional strain Phoenix faces ahead of filming.
Industry Support and Anticipation for De Noche
The project has garnered strong backing within the film industry. Fionnuala Jamison, managing director of MK2 Films, praised Todd Haynes’ unique connection with audiences, stating,
“Few filmmakers connect with audiences as strongly as Todd Haynes.”
She further endorsed the project, saying,
“De Noche carries that same power, and with Killer Films and a remarkable cast led by Pedro Pascal, it is a stand-out project we are proud to be a part of and share with buyers.”
With its late-stage casting changes and sensitive subject matter, De Noche is poised to attract attention for both its artistic approach and the circumstances behind its creation. Shooting will commence soon in Guadalajara, bringing a story steeped in historical tensions and emotional complexity to the screen.
The film’s production journey reflects the difficult balance between artistic vision and the personal challenges faced by its creators, while the involvement of Pedro Pascal offers a fresh start and renewed hope for this ambitious narrative.
Joaquin Phoenix on his departure from a gay romance movie directed by Todd Haynes, at a Venice press conference for #JokerFolieADeux #Venezia81 pic.twitter.com/jsmsBapEBB
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 4, 2024
