Pedro Pascal is reportedly in negotiations to step into the lead role in Todd Haynes highly anticipated gay romance, De Noche, filling the void left by Joaquin Phoenixs abrupt departure in August 2024, just days before filming was slated to begin.Sources confirm that Pascal, 50, is being eyed to portray the role opposite Danny Ramirez, with the story set against the sweeping backdrop of 1930s Mexico. The film, now titled De Noche, promises to be a lush, emotionally complex period piece exploring forbidden love, courage, and the burdens of secrecy.From Center Stage to Center of a Twisted RomanceHaynes, 64, an acclaimed director known for richly layered queer dramas such as Carol and Far from Heaven, initially developed the film with Phoenix and author Jon Raymond. Though Phoenix helped shape the early creative vision, he unexpectedly withdrew from the production five days before cameras were to roll in Guadalajara in the summer of 2024.When questioned about his departure at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Phoenix declined, citing concern about speaking for other creatives and not wanting to muddy the artistic intentions of the project.Id just be sharing my opinion, Phoenix remarked. It just doesnt feel like that would be right.Haynes previously described the project to IndieWire as intentionally bold, anticipating a boundary-pushing, potentially NC-17-rated film that would explore the erotically charged and clandestine love between two men at a time when such relationships were taboo.Pascal Steps InPascals potential involvement introduces an exciting new dynamic. Known for dramatic bravery, emotional warmth, and undeniable charisma, Pascals recent roles showcase his range, from the bravado of The Fantastic Four: First Steps to the thoughtful nuance of his indie features. His ascension to this sensitive role could infuse De Noche with a layered intensity that mirrors the pressure and passion of the era it represents.Danny Ramirez is already attached to co-star, and the pairing promises an emotionally rich on-screen chemistryespecially under Haynes stylized and empathetic direction.As of now, neither Pascal nor Haynes have issued official statements; representatives for both remain tight-lipped, and efforts for comment at Killer Films, the production company behind De Noche, have gone unanswered.But insiders say that if talks move forward, production will begin filming early next year in Guadalajara, reaffirming the projects commitment to authentic locations and period design.A Queer Golden Age ReimaginedSet in the haute world of 1930s Mexico, De Noche weaves a languid tapestry of shadowed ballrooms, desperate longing, and clandestine dances under a moonlit sky. The films ambition is to place queer intimacy at its center, not in spite of the eras restrictive norms, but precisely because they heighten the emotional stakes.Haynes approach to storytelling has always blended aesthetic grandeur with empathetic realism. In De Noche, lovers might share stolen glances in candlelit corridors, and whispered declarations could carry lifetimes of risk. At a time when gay relationships were forced behind closed doors, every touch would feel political and passionate.Why This Casting Matters to the Queer CommunityDe Noche represents more than period drama, its a testament to visibility and the evolving representation of queer history in mainstream cinema. Haynes has earned acclaim for works that center queer womens stories; now, hes shifting to explore longing between men, in an era when gay men were condemned both legally and morally.Pascals rumored casting sends a message: queer men deserve stories steeped in aesthetic elegance, emotional gravity, and historical complexity. For actors from diverse Latinx backgrounds, the role evokes opportunity and resonance, two communities often denied canonical romantic narratives onscreen.From Heartbreak to HopeAfter A Star Is Born in 2018 and the Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro in 2023, Haynes matures into territory of forbidden romance and moral confinement. De Noche could become a pivotal moment in his filmography, and Pascals, too, marking a shift toward period romance and the subtle tragedies that unfold in opulent settings.Should Pascal sign on, De Noche will likely debut mid-2026, with a New York Film Festival premiere possible, a platform befitting Haynes artistry and the films LGBTQ+ themes.In the meantime, speculation will swirl, including how Pascal will channel vulnerability, magnetism, and longing into a character torn between desire and duty, two forces made sharper by time and secrecy.With Pascal in talks, and Ramirez by his side, De Noche promises to deliver a powerful new tale of love in hiding, rekindling dreams of golden age romance through a queer lens that remains deliciously radical.Source