Pedro Pascal Tipped To Replace Joaquin Phoenix In Steamy Romance

Pedro Pascal could also be adding one other daring role to his résumé. The 50-year-old actor, best known for “The Last of Us,” “The Mandalorian,” and Marvel’s “Incredible 4,” is reportedly in talks to interchange Joaquin Phoenix within the long-delayed Todd Haynes film “De Noche.” The project, described as a gay romance drama set within the Thirties, was originally set to star Phoenix and “Top Gun: Maverick” actor Danny Ramirez as lovers in a relationship stuffed with passion, turmoil, and “explicit sexual content.”

Phoenix shocked Hollywood in 2023 when he abruptly exited the film just days before cameras were set to roll in Guadalajara, Mexico. Entire sets had already been built, and insiders speculated that the Oscar winner can have grown uneasy with the film’s steamy material, although others identified that Phoenix himself had brought the project to Haynes and pushed it into “more dangerous territory, sexually.”

Now, with Pedro Pascal circling the lead role, producers are hoping to get “De Noche” back on the right track in early 2025, working across the actor’s packed filming calendar. In line with Deadline, the filming schedule will reportedly be built around Pascal’s packed calendar, which already includes upcoming work on “The Last of Us Season 2,” Marvel’s “Incredible 4,” and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler are producing the film for Killer Movies, longtime champions of daring, boundary-pushing cinema.

The casting news comes just months after Pascal and Phoenix shared a now-viral interaction on the Cannes red carpet while promoting their film “Eddington.” Cameras captured Pascal gently lowering Phoenix’s arm mid-wave after it appeared the gesture may very well be mistaken for a Nazi salute.

In line with lipreader NJ Hickling, Pascal jokingly told Phoenix, “Argh, don’t do this. You’re affecting the cred. Attempt to act cool, such as you’re about to attain, my man.”

Phoenix appeared to catch himself, muttering, “Oh, enough,” before quietly adding under his breath, “Oh my goodness.” The playful moment between the 2 A-listers sparked memes across social media, cementing Pascal’s fame as Hollywood’s most effortlessly cool “protector.”

With Pascal attached, “De Noche” looks able to get its second wind after stalling out last yr. Whether or not the actor officially signs on, the rumors alone have reignited interest within the project, which guarantees to push boundaries with its mixture of historical setting, raw intimacy, and Haynes’ fearless storytelling.

While fans are reeling over the potential for Pedro Pascal entering into a daring recent LGBTQ+ romance role, the casting selection wouldn’t come as a surprise. “The Last of Us” actor has long been vocal about his unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community, each on and off screen.

Pascal, who has been hailed as an ally for years, steadily uses his platform to advocate for equality and visibility. He has proudly supported his transgender sister, Lux Pascal, celebrating her public coming out in 2021 by calling her his “heart” and sharing his love across social media.

On screen, Pascal has also been a part of projects that highlight queer representation, from “Game of Thrones”’s sexually fluid Oberyn Martell to his acclaimed turn in “The Last of Us,” where themes of affection and survival in queer relationships are integral to the story.

His support has prolonged deeply to his co-stars. Bella Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary, spoke candidly in a profile for Them about how Pascal became a lifeline during filming in additional conservative parts of the U.S.

“Once we went to the Midwest, I had anxiety about being an openly queer person in states which might be quite conservative, but Pedro was there for me,” Ramsey shared. “He’s someone I consult with about stuff like that. He’s been so kind and generous and supportive. He’s an actual champion of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Ramsey went on to emphasize that Pascal’s allyship is anything but performative. “Performative allyship is a thing, and he’s so the other of that,” they said. “At his core, advocacy is something that he cares a lot about, and he has been so supportive of me in a way that I’m incredibly grateful for.”

Pascal himself echoed that sentiment, telling Them that he identifies as an ally “since it’s morally corrupt to persecute anyone for being their authentic selves, to make anyone feel lower than for having the courage to live a truthful life.”

For a lot of fans, the concept of Pascal taking the lead in Todd Haynes’ “De Noche” looks like a natural extension of his profession and a testament to his consistent commitment to telling stories that uplift and reflect LGBTQ+ lives.