Pedro Pascal steps into high-profile movie role after Joaquin Phoenix suddenly quit the project

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Pedro Pascal has stepped in to save a movie that seemed stalled after Joaquin Phoenix, his co-star in Eddington, unexpectedly left the project right before filming.

Fifty-year-old actor Pascal will star in Todd Haynes’s new film, ‘De Noche,’ a gay romance that faced delays in 2024, according to Variety.

Glenn Phoenix, age 51, initially joined the cast of ‘De Noche’ to portray a tough detective. Danny Ramirez, who is still part of the show, was set to play his love interest – a significantly younger teacher at a boarding school.

I was absolutely shocked to hear that Joaquin Phoenix decided to leave the movie just five days before we were supposed to start filming! Apparently, he told Mr. Haynes and the producers himself, and it was a huge blow to everyone involved.

Everyone was surprised by the withdrawal, because industry insiders believed the project would fail without Phoenix. Finding a new lead actor on such short notice seemed impossible, and the production likely couldn’t afford to keep everyone on payroll while searching.

Despite being a specialized project, Haynes’s film seems to have overcome challenges by attracting a major star to direct it.

Phoenix and Haynes both declined to comment at the time on why the production broke down.

Christine Vachon, who has worked with director Haynes for many years and produced the film, described the difficulties surrounding De Noche as a ‘tragedy.’ She said she only knew the basic facts that were publicly reported at the time.

What’s most upsetting is that Todd Haynes is only 62. While not elderly, he has a limited number of films left to make in his career. Speaking at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2024, she explained that she considers Haynes an exceptionally talented filmmaker, and it’s truly tragic that his years of collaboration with Joaquin Phoenix didn’t result in a finished film.

I’m really disappointed we won’t be getting another film from Todd Haynes. It feels like a huge loss for our community, and it’s truly frustrating.

Vachon is producing the new version of De Noche, working with Pamela Koffler and Killer Films.

Joaquin Phoenix briefly responded to the recent discussions during a press conference in September 2024 for the movie Joker: Folie à Deux, but he didn’t directly address them.

Ugh, he finally talked about it, but it was so frustrating! Basically, he said he doesn’t want to talk about why that person left because he doesn’t want to speak for everyone else when they aren’t here to tell their side of the story. He thinks it wouldn’t be fair, and honestly, he doesn’t even see how it would help anything. So yeah, he’s not going to say anything, and it’s killing me! I just want to know everything!

Variety reports that the upcoming film, set in the 1930s, features Pedro Pascal as a Los Angeles police officer who finds love with a schoolteacher, played by Ana de Armas.

Their love story is endangered by powerful, dishonest people, forcing them to flee to a neighboring country to avoid being hunted.

The article points out that the story’s exploration of widespread corruption in Los Angeles feels similar to the classic film Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski.

Interestingly, Pascal recently collaborated on screen with the actor he’s replacing.

He appeared alongside Phoenix in Ari Aster’s highly praised thriller, Eddington. The film explores how a small town in New Mexico fell apart during the Covid-19 pandemic, fueled by the negative effects of social media.

In the film, Pascal plays a mayor struggling to protect his town as the pandemic begins, and Phoenix portrays a sheriff who opposes safety rules and decides to run against him for mayor.

Although critics generally praised the darkly humorous film, it wasn’t a financial success, earning only $13.7 million despite costing $25 million to make.

Following the announcement that Pedro Pascal had been cast, Haynes explained in a statement that the story, starring Pascal and Danny Ramirez, explores themes of corruption within the country, racial injustice, and worldwide fear – issues that feel particularly relevant today.

The film shows how powerfully desire and love can help people overcome even the most difficult obstacles, according to its director. He is openly gay and often explores LGBTQ+ stories in his work.

As a longtime fan of cinema, I couldn’t agree more with Fionnuala Jamison from MK2 Films. She’s absolutely right – Todd Haynes has a rare gift for truly connecting with viewers. It’s something special to witness, and it’s why I’m always excited to see his work.

Haynes’s films, like ‘Carol’ and ‘Far from Heaven,’ are known for their strong emotional resonance with audiences around the world. Her new film, ‘De Noche,’ promises the same powerful effect. We’re especially excited about this project – featuring Pedro Pascal and produced with Killer Films – and are thrilled to share it with potential buyers.

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2026-02-05 20:49