De Noche (film)

In May 2023, Todd Haynes revealed that he had been developing a script with Joaquin Phoenix and Jon Raymond with Phoenix in the starring role; Haynes said that Phoenix was advising him to "go further" with the explicit material, which Haynes said would likely make it an NC-17 rated film.^[2] Haynes elaborated in September 2023 that the project was a sexually explicit "love story between two men set in the 1930's."^[3]

In July 2024, Danny Ramirez was cast to co-star opposite Phoenix.^[4] Speaking about the audition process, Ramirez said it "was extensive, and so what I walked away with that was just the artistic validation of throwing down opposite of [Joaquin] in this chemistry read... There was a moment that I was like, 'Oh, I've arrived as a performer.'"^[5] However, the project was cancelled days before filming began when Phoenix abruptly quit.^[6] Phoenix reportedly got "cold feet" according to a source close to the production; the production company lost over a million dollars as a result of the cancellation.^[7] Producer Christine Vachon confirmed that the allegations against Phoenix were true and wrote in a deleted social media post: "It has been a nightmare. If you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that 'that's what you get for casting a straight actor' — DON'T. This was HIS project that he brought to US."^[8]

One year later, in August 2025, the project was revived, now titled De Noche, with Pedro Pascal set to replace Phoenix.^[1]

Principal photography began in March 2026 in Sonora.^[9]