Last year, Joaquin Phoenix exited Todd Haynes’ “likely NC-17” gay romance film, “De Noche,” just five days before shooting was set to begin, potentially getting cold feet over the explicit sex scenes he had to perform on screen with co-star Danny Ramirez.
Producer Christine Vachon claimed, a few months back, that the film was “shelved” — and many trade sources confirmed that. However, plot twist, it’s back to happening.
None other than Pedro Pascal — who else! — is circling the lead role left vacant by Phoenix. There are now plans to shoot the film in January 2026. Ramirez is still attached as co-lead.
According to reports, the script had Phoenix performing a rimjob scene on Ramirez. Is that what scared Phoenix away? Enter Pascal, who seems to be saying, “bring it on!”
Seriously, it never made much sense to waste all of the producer’s money away and completely “shelve” the film, especially since there had to be a marquee actor out there dying to work with Haynes on this one.
Pascal, who starred in five movies last year, is coming off an insane summer, kicking off with that viral moment in the second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” and continuing with roles in Celine Song’s “Materialists,” Ari Aster’s “Eddington,” and Marvel’s “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” You just can’t avoid him these days.
At a certain point, Pascal’s constant casting starts to feel less inspired, especially when there are plenty of other talented actors out there. It’s the same fatigue that comes when Hollywood falls too hard for an actor and just won’t let us breathe between roles, and right now, Pascal is everywhere, all at once.
Regardless, at least he’s done a good deed here, reviving Haynes’ project. Oh, and if you’re still wondering, Phoenix still hasn’t paid up the millions he owed to producers for bailing on this film.