Pedro Pascal has been cast in Todd Haynes' long-anticipated gay romance film, "De Noche." This development comes approximately a year and a half after Joaquin Phoenix's departure from the project just five days before its initial production start.
Pascal is set to co-star with Danny Ramirez, known for his roles in "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Captain America: Brave New World." The film, a period piece, is scheduled to begin shooting next month. Director Haynes shared with Variety that the story, featuring Pascal and Ramirez in the leading roles, is set in an era grappling with domestic corruption, racial exploitation, and global terrorism. He emphasized that the film serves as a testament to the enduring power of desire and love to overcome even the most formidable human obstacles.
Written by Haynes and his frequent collaborator Jon Raymond, "De Noche" will depict the evolving relationship between a seasoned detective, portrayed by Pascal, and a boarding school teacher, played by Ramirez. Their romance unfolds in 1930s Los Angeles, and as they become targets amidst pervasive political corruption, they are forced to seek refuge in Mexico. MK2 Films is producing the movie in collaboration with Killer Films, Paloma Negra Films, and Jonathan Montepare, with additional support from Steven Demmler and Cinetic Media. MK2 Films will also manage international sales and co-distribute domestic rights with Cinetic.
Pascal confirmed his involvement via Instagram, where he posted a series of images from Haynes' previous works, including "I'm Not There" and "The Velvet Underground," along with a photo of himself and Ramirez. This film marks their third collaboration, following their work on the second season of HBO's "The Last of Us" and the upcoming Marvel film, "Avengers: Doomsday." Both Haynes and Ramirez expressed their disappointment when the film faced production delays after Phoenix's exit. Ramirez reflected in October 2024 that the setback fueled his determination, while Haynes commented in December 2024 at the Marrakech Film Festival that the film's concept might resurface in a different iteration. Phoenix, for his part, chose not to elaborate on his decision during a "Joker: Folie à Deux" press conference, citing a desire to avoid expressing his viewpoint without the other creative parties present.
This resurgence of "De Noche" demonstrates the persistence of a compelling narrative and the resilience of a creative vision. The film promises to explore the transformative power of love and human connection against a backdrop of societal challenges, reminding us that art often finds a way to transcend obstacles and bring important stories to light.