Pedro Pascal continues to reshape his already fearless career choices. The actor has officially stepped into the lead role in De Noche, replacing Joaquin Phoenix in the highly anticipated gay romance drama, and will star opposite Danny Ramirez.
The casting change has been confirmed by multiple industry sources, marking a significant shift for the project but one that many are already calling inspired.
De Noche centers on a deeply emotional and intimate love story between two men from very different worlds. Pascal plays a police officer, while Ramirez portrays a boarding school teacher. What begins as an unexpected connection slowly turns into a passionate relationship that challenges their personal boundaries, professional lives, and emotional defenses. The film reportedly leans more toward character-driven storytelling than spectacle, focusing on vulnerability, restraint, and the quiet intensity of forbidden love.
Joaquin Phoenix was initially attached to the role but exited the project earlier this year due to scheduling conflicts. With Pedro Pascal stepping in, the film has gained renewed attention, especially given Pascal’s recent run of complex, emotionally resonant performances and his openness to layered, unconventional roles.
Pascal’s casting feels particularly aligned with the film’s tone. Over the years, he has built a reputation for portraying masculinity with softness, tension, and emotional depth rather than rigidity. Industry insiders suggest that De Noche will allow Pascal to explore intimacy and desire in a way that feels grounded, raw, and deeply human rather than performative.
Danny Ramirez, meanwhile, has been steadily emerging as one of Hollywood’s most compelling young actors. Known for balancing charm with emotional precision, his pairing with Pascal has already sparked excitement online. Many fans are praising the casting as refreshingly age-appropriate, emotionally mature, and rooted in genuine chemistry rather than shock value.
The film’s title, De Noche (Spanish for “At Night”), is said to reflect the secrecy and emotional risk at the heart of the story. Much of the relationship unfolds in private moments, stolen conversations, and late-night encounters, emphasizing longing and restraint over overt dramatics.
Production timelines have not yet been announced, but the project is expected to move forward quickly following the casting update. While no release date has been confirmed, De Noche is already being positioned as a potential festival favorite due to its intimate scope and strong performances.
With Pedro Pascal officially replacing Joaquin Phoenix, De Noche now feels less like a casting controversy and more like a bold creative reset. If the film delivers on its promise, it could become one of the most talked-about queer romances in recent years, not because of who stars in it, but because of how honestly it tells its story.