Pedro Pascal joins Todd Haynes lavender film ‘De Noche’ following Joaquin Phoenix’s exit

Todd Haynes’ long delayed film De Noche is officially back in production with Pedro Pascal confirmed to lead the project alongside Danny Ramirez. The announcement follows Joaquin Phoenix’s exit from the film last year, which placed the future of the project in doubt. With financing now secured through France based MK2 Films, shooting is scheduled to begin next month, marking a significant turning point for the period drama.

De Noche is set in 1930s Los Angeles during a time of political corruption and rising global tension. The story follows a hard boiled detective played by Pascal who becomes involved in a forbidden romance with a boarding school teacher portrayed by Ramirez. As the two men draw attention from powerful figures within the city, they are forced to flee to Mexico in an attempt to escape growing danger. The narrative draws inspiration from classic noir cinema while placing emotional intimacy at the centre of the plot.

Haynes co wrote the screenplay with long time collaborator Jon Raymond. Speaking about the project, Haynes said the story reflects an era marked by domestic corruption and racial exploitation, while also highlighting the endurance of desire and love in the face of harsh social barriers. The director’s previous work, including May December and Carol, has been widely praised for its emotional depth and character driven storytelling, adding to expectations surrounding this latest release.

MK2 Films is financing the production and handling international sales, while domestic rights are being co represented with Cinetic Media. The film is being produced by Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler under the Killer Films banner, with additional backing from several European partners. MK2 managing director Fionnuala Jamison described Haynes as a filmmaker with a strong connection to global audiences and said De Noche carries the same emotional power found in his earlier projects.

For Pascal, the role represents his first collaboration with Haynes and continues a recent run that balances large studio projects with independent films. The actor has appeared in high profile franchise releases while also taking on prestige roles aimed at awards season recognition. Danny Ramirez has also built momentum with recent performances that have raised his profile across film and television.

With filming approaching and international sales set to launch at the European Film Market in Berlin, De Noche is now positioned as one of the most closely watched independent projects of the year. Industry observers expect the film to make a strong festival push once production is complete, placing Haynes and his cast firmly back in the awards conversation.