Pedro Pascal Circles Todd Haynes' Steamy Mexican Romance 'De Noche'

Olivia Bennett, 8/28/2025Darlings, in a delectable twist of fate that would make any Hollywood screenwriter swoon, Pedro Pascal is eyeing the lead in Todd Haynes' resurrected gay romance "De Noche." After Joaquin Phoenix's mysterious exit left this sultry period piece in tatters, TV's hottest leading man might just prove that some love stories deserve a second act.

Let's talk about that timing for a second. Pascal's star isn't just rising — it's practically gone supernova. Between "The Last of Us" breaking streaming records and "The Mandalorian" cementing his place in the pop culture pantheon, he's become the kind of actor who can actually get projects greenlit just by showing interest. (Remember when that kind of power was reserved for, like, three actors tops?)

The project's revival feels almost poetic. Danny Ramirez, fresh off his "Top Gun: Maverick" success, stayed loyal to the vision through all the drama. Now, pairing him with Pascal? That's the kind of casting alchemy that makes studio executives wake up in cold sweats of excitement.

Set against the sultry backdrop of 1930s Mexico, this tale of two men fleeing Los Angeles in pursuit of forbidden love sounds exactly like the kind of boundary-pushing cinema Haynes does best. And speaking of Haynes — veteran producer Christine Vachon didn't mince words about the project's initial collapse. "Todd Haynes is 62," she'd said, her frustration practically vibrating off the screen. "He's not old but there's a finite number of films that he will be able to do in his lifetime."

Pascal's packed schedule — good lord, just look at it. "Materialists," "Eddington," and that little indie project called "Fantastic Four: First Steps" (sarcasm fully intended). That producers are willing to juggle shooting dates around his availability tells you everything you need to know about both his industry pull and their faith in this particular story.

For Haynes, whose collaboration with Killer Films has given us gems like "Carol" and "Far From Heaven," this isn't just another notch on the directorial belt. It's a chance to add another masterpiece to a filmography that's consistently pushed the envelope while maintaining artistic integrity. Not an easy tightrope to walk, but Haynes makes it look effortless.

The whispers about an NC-17 rating? Those haven't gone away. And in today's climate, where LGBTQ+ storytelling faces more scrutiny than a Met Gala outfit, that kind of uncompromising vision matters more than ever.

Phoenix's exit remains one of those Hollywood mysteries that'll probably never get solved — his Venice response of "it just doesn't feel like that would be right" only added more intrigue to the whole situation. But maybe, just maybe, this reshuffling of the cosmic deck was exactly what "De Noche" needed.

Sometimes the best love stories take a few false starts before finding their rhythm. For this particular passion project, the stars might finally be aligning in all the right ways.

Hollywood loves a comeback story, and the resurrection of Todd Haynes' shelved gay romance proves that some projects refuse to stay buried. "De Noche" — once considered dead in the water after Joaquin Phoenix's puzzling departure — has found new life with television's current darling Pedro Pascal potentially stepping into the leading role. The cameras might roll in Guadalajara come early 2026, and honestly? The timing couldn't be more perfect.Let's talk about that timing for a second. Pascal's star isn't just rising — it's practically gone supernova. Between "The Last of Us" breaking streaming records and "The Mandalorian" cementing his place in the pop culture pantheon, he's become the kind of actor who can actually get projects greenlit just by showing interest. (Remember when that kind of power was reserved for, like, three actors tops?)The project's revival feels almost poetic. Danny Ramirez, fresh off his "Top Gun: Maverick" success, stayed loyal to the vision through all the drama. Now, pairing him with Pascal? That's the kind of casting alchemy that makes studio executives wake up in cold sweats of excitement.Set against the sultry backdrop of 1930s Mexico, this tale of two men fleeing Los Angeles in pursuit of forbidden love sounds exactly like the kind of boundary-pushing cinema Haynes does best. And speaking of Haynes — veteran producer Christine Vachon didn't mince words about the project's initial collapse. "Todd Haynes is 62," she'd said, her frustration practically vibrating off the screen. "He's not old but there's a finite number of films that he will be able to do in his lifetime."Pascal's packed schedule — good lord, just look at it. "Materialists," "Eddington," and that little indie project called "Fantastic Four: First Steps" (sarcasm fully intended). That producers are willing to juggle shooting dates around his availability tells you everything you need to know about both his industry pull and their faith in this particular story.For Haynes, whose collaboration with Killer Films has given us gems like "Carol" and "Far From Heaven," this isn't just another notch on the directorial belt. It's a chance to add another masterpiece to a filmography that's consistently pushed the envelope while maintaining artistic integrity. Not an easy tightrope to walk, but Haynes makes it look effortless.The whispers about an NC-17 rating? Those haven't gone away. And in today's climate, where LGBTQ+ storytelling faces more scrutiny than a Met Gala outfit, that kind of uncompromising vision matters more than ever.Phoenix's exit remains one of those Hollywood mysteries that'll probably never get solved — his Venice response of "it just doesn't feel like that would be right" only added more intrigue to the whole situation. But maybe, just maybe, this reshuffling of the cosmic deck was exactly what "De Noche" needed.Sometimes the best love stories take a few false starts before finding their rhythm. For this particular passion project, the stars might finally be aligning in all the right ways.