We were destroyed when we reported exclusively just over a year ago that Joaquin Phoenix had left a gay romance supposed to be directed by Todd Haynes Just a few days before it would start production. The project collapsed and seemed to be permanently acclaimed, but Deadline now reports that the project hopes to be revived, this time with Pedro Pascal in the lead role.
No offers for Pascal are made, and the producers would have to work around a busy schedule for Pascal containing two “Avengers” movies, but the jump is for film To shoot in Guadalajara, Mexico in early 2026.
The project now also has a title, “De Noche,” and Danny Ramirez, “Top Gun: Maverick” actor who was originally linked to Star in the version together with Phoenix, is also expected to return.
Reps for the film’s producer murder and for Pascal did not respond to a request for comment.
In August last year, Indiewire reported that the film was probably supposed to be an explicit, gay love story, potentially with an NC-17 rating, which would be established in the 1930s. The film had financing and international sales on site that hung on Phoenix’s commitment, but his outcome forced the hands of the producers.
Why Phoenix left is still something of a mystery, and in Venice this time last year while promoting “Joker: foil a deux”, he refused to comment And said that if he were to answer and share his opinion without the other creative to give their perspective, “it just doesn’t feel that it would be right. I’m not sure how it would be helpful. I don’t think I will.”
His outcome was particularly shocking given that Phoenix had worked to develop the script from author Jon Raymond and brought it specifically to producer Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler’s Killer Films Banner. Vachon called the situation a ‘tragedy’ But said there was no special gossip to share. Haynes also said in December that he was Hope the film could resurface in another form.
“The most tragic part with it, in my mind, is Todd Haynes is 62,” Vachon said at that time. “He is not old but there are a finite number of films that he will be able to do during his lifetime. I consider him one of the most extraordinary film artists in his generation. The idea that his time is wasted and that a movie is not a result of the years of working near Joaquin, it is tragedy for me and that I cannot get over.”
Vachon has worked with Haynes who goes back to his direction “Poison” far back in 1991, and she has been behind some of his other classics, including “Safe”, “Velvet Goldmine”, “Far from Heaven”, “I’m not there” and “Carol.” Haynes led by 2023’s “May December.”
Pascal this year has been as busy and in demand as all actors in Hollywood, starring in Celine Song’s “Materialists”, Ari Aster’s “Eddington”, the Marvel movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps” and leads the second season of “The Last Of Us” for HBO. He will then be seen in the “Star Wars” Spinoff movie in his hits series “The Mandalorian”, entitled “The Mandalorian and Grogu”, arrives on May 22, 2026.
Deadline first reported the news.
