Kristina Roberts
Pedro Pascal, one of today’s most loved actors, might soon step into the spotlight again, this time in director Todd Haynes’ long-awaited film De Noche. The movie, which had faced big troubles last year, could finally come back to life with Pascal as its star.
The film tells the story of a corrupt police officer and his younger lover as they escape from 1930s Los Angeles and head to Mexico. If everything works out, Pascal would play the main role alongside actor Danny Ramirez. This storyline mixes crime, love, and survival, making it a project that fans of Pascal are already very excited about.
The movie has been in the news before. Originally, Joaquin Phoenix was supposed to lead the project. Everything was set up, and filming was even about to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico. But at the last moment, Phoenix decided to step away from the project. His sudden exit stopped production completely, leaving everyone—director, crew, and fans—disappointed. Because of that, the movie seemed as if it might never be made.
Now, with Pascal in talks to replace Phoenix, there is new hope for De Noche. The producers, Killer Films, and the sales company, M2K Film, had already worked hard to sell the film to international distributors. This meant the movie had buyers around the world even before shooting began. All it needed was the right lead actor to bring the vision back on track.
Pedro Pascal is no stranger to busy schedules. This year has been one of the busiest of his career. He earned his second Emmy nomination for his role in The Last of Us Season 2, a show that has won hearts globally. He was also seen in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and appeared in films like Materialists and Eddington. And his schedule isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Coming up, Pascal is set to play Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, in Marvel’s huge upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday. Fans had been buzzing with theories about his role in the film, with some even believing he might be leading the Avengers team. But Pascal himself denied that rumor. At the same time, he will return to his beloved role as the Mandalorian in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which fans are eagerly waiting for.
This packed calendar shows just how in-demand Pascal is, but it also makes his possible involvement in De Noche even more special. Taking on such a complex role—a corrupt cop in a dangerous, love-filled escape story—could give Pascal a chance to show yet another side of his talent.
Director Todd Haynes has been hopeful about reviving the film ever since Phoenix left. Speaking at the Marrakech Film Festival last December, Haynes admitted the situation was tough but left a window of hope. “What happened this summer was tough. But the film itself and the script [which Haynes co-wrote with Jon Raymond] itself may resurrect in a different form someday,” he said.
This comment shows just how much the director believes in the story. He and writer Jon Raymond had put their hearts into creating the script, and Haynes wasn’t ready to give up. With Pascal possibly joining, it looks like that hope is turning into reality.
The story of De Noche itself is set during a dramatic time in history. Los Angeles in the 1930s was filled with corruption, crime, and people chasing the American dream in different, often dangerous ways. To escape that world and run off to Mexico gives the film an emotional as well as thrilling backdrop. The themes of forbidden love, survival, and running from the law make it a classic tale with Haynes’ artistic touch.
For fans, the mix of Todd Haynes’ unique style of storytelling and Pedro Pascal’s acting skills is something to look forward to. Haynes is known for making films that are deep, layered, and visually stunning. Pascal, on the other hand, has a way of bringing warmth, strength, and emotion to every role he takes. Together, they could make De Noche a powerful and memorable movie.
What also makes this project interesting is how it shows the unpredictable nature of Hollywood. A film that almost ended before it began is now finding new energy with a different actor. The world of movies often faces such twists—actors leaving projects, production delays, and changes in plans—but sometimes those very challenges lead to unexpected and brilliant results.
Fans of Pascal have already started sharing their excitement online. Many feel he is the perfect choice to step into this role because of his ability to play complex characters who are both strong and vulnerable. His past roles, whether as Joel in The Last of Us or the Mandalorian in Star Wars, have shown that he can balance toughness with deep emotion. That skill could be exactly what De Noche needs.
If all goes well and the deal closes, production for De Noche may finally restart, giving life to a project that almost slipped away. For Todd Haynes, it would be a chance to bring back a vision he believed in, and for Pedro Pascal, it would be another big step in a career already filled with remarkable performances.
At the heart of this story is also a reminder: art and storytelling often face struggles, but passion and dedication can keep them alive. As Haynes said, the script had the power to resurrect in a different form, and now, with Pascal, it seems that form is ready to be seen.
The journey of De Noche—from being stalled to possibly being revived—is proof of resilience in filmmaking. Just like the characters in the story who escape from a difficult world, the film itself has escaped being forgotten. And with Pedro Pascal possibly taking the lead, this escape story might just find its way to the big screen after all.
