Pedro Pascal will reunite with Danny Ramirez for the upcoming gay romance De Noche following Joaquin Phoenix’s surprising exit.
“This story, with Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez in the two leads, arises out of an era — all too relevant to our own — of domestic corruption, racial exploitation and global terror,” writer and director Todd Haynes told Variety in a statement in February 2026 after news broke that the film had found its new lead in Pascal.
Haynes 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.”
Pascal’s casting comes more than one year after Phoenix left the project in August 2024 after years of working closely on its production alongside Haynes.
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Scroll down to learn more about De Noche and Pascal’s participation in the film:
What Is ‘De Noche’ About?
Todd Haynes and Jon Raymond penned the screenplay for De Noche, which explores “the passionate and unexpected love affair between a cop and a boarding school teacher in 1930s Los Angeles, when the city is overtaken by corruption and the world is on the brink of war,” according to Variety. “The two men become targets of the city’s corrupt political machine and are forced to flee to Mexico.”
Who Was Part of the Original ‘De Noche’ Cast?
Joaquin Phoenix was originally set to play the lead role as a hard-nosed cop in the gay romance, alongside Danny Ramirez as his younger love interest and boarding school teacher.
When Did Joaquin Phoenix Exit the Project?
News broke in August 2024 that Joaquin Phoenix had dropped out of De Noche five days before it was set to start filming in Mexico. At the time, reps for director Todd Haynes and the indie production company Killer Films declined to comment, according to Entertainment Weekly. Phoenix’s reps, meanwhile, did not immediately respond, per the outlet.
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Why Did Joaquin Phoenix Exit ‘De Noche’?
During a Joker: Folie à Deux press conference in September 2024, Joaquin Phoenix was asked about his sudden departure from De Noche, but chose not to give much detail about his exit.
“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,” Phoenix said in response to a question about the exit, according to Deadline. “So, I just I don’t think I will.”
What Has Danny Ramirez Said About Joaquin Phoenix’s Departure?
“It’s definitely disappointing,” Danny Ramirez told Variety in October 2024 of the film pressing pause without Joaquin Phoenix. “If anything, it just gave me more inspiration to keep driving, keep pushing, and knowing that I’m on the right path and approaching the work the right way. So that’s what I’m excited about.”
Ramirez noted that it was a “very complicated situation,” and after an “extensive” audition process he was thrilled to be working with Phoenix.
“What I walked away with was just the artistic validation of throwing down opposite of [Phoenix] in this chemistry read. … There was a moment that I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve arrived as a performer,’” he recalled before the movie fell apart.
Despite being in limbo without Phoenix attached, Ramirez said “hopefully” the movie would come to fruition.
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When Did Pedro Pascal Sign on to ‘De Noche’?
Pedro Pascal confirmed his attachment to the movie in February 2026. “De nada. #DeNoche #ToddHaynes @killer.films @mk2 #VivaMexico 🇲🇽,” he wrote via Instagram, sharing stills from Todd Haynes’ previous films.
Pascal also shared a picture alongside Danny Ramirez in celebration of their latest collaboration. The actors previously worked together on season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us and will costar in the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday set to hit theaters in December 2026.
Who Will Pedro Pascal Play in ‘De Noche’?
Pedro Pascal was cast as the detective Joaquin Phoenix was originally slated to play. His younger love interest will still be played by Danny Ramirez. (Pascal and Phoenix previously worked together in 2025’s Eddington.)
When Will ‘De Noche’ Start Filming?
Variety reported in February 2026 that De Noche will begin filming in March 2026.
