Producer Christine Vachon made a surprising comment at the Edinburgh Film Festival, saying she prefers Pedro Pascal over Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes’ upcoming movie De Noche. The film faced major problems when Phoenix left the project just days before filming was set to begin in 2024. But now, with Pascal taking over the lead role, Vachon believes everything worked out for the best.
The indie film producer spoke at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 14, 2026, where she discussed how the movie came back to life after Phoenix’s sudden exit. During a talk with moderator Wendy Mitchell, the conversation turned to Pascal’s performance. Mitchell joked: “I actually like [Pascal] better than Joaquin Phoenix anyway,” and Vachon quickly responded: “I kind of do too!” The audience at Edinburgh’s Central Hall laughed along with the producer’s honest remark.
The Difficult Start That Led to a Better Outcome
De Noche was originally set to star Joaquin Phoenix alongside Danny Ramirez. But in July 2024, Phoenix walked away from the project just five days before production was supposed to start in Guadalajara, Mexico. This left the film in serious trouble. Vachon called the situation “devastating” because it meant director Todd Haynes lost the chance to make a movie that year.
But Vachon now sees a silver lining in what happened. She explained that the forced “do-over” actually helped the film in unexpected ways. The production team found a better shooting location, moving from Guadalajara to Mexico City, which Vachon said “ended up being better creatively”.
“If you take the Pollyanna, glass-half-full version of everything happens for a reason, maybe the reason was that this was a role Pedro was born to play. He is certainly extraordinary in the film, and by the way, so is Danny [Ramirez]. I mean, both of them are a revelation.”
Pedro Pascal Stepped In and Saved the Project
After Phoenix left, the movie seemed doomed. But Pedro Pascal came on board in August 2025 to take over the leading role. Vachon first worked with Pascal on Celine Song’s film Materialists. She recalled how the casting came together: “We’ve worked together on Materialists. It started to be one of those things that was like ‘I wonder if [Pascal would do De Noche],’ and it worked out.”
Vachon also shared what it’s like working with Pascal, who has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. “People always say to me, ‘Is he as nice as he seems?’ […] He is. People are so invested. They love him.”
What ‘De Noche’ Is About
De Noche is a romantic drama set in the 1930s. The story follows two men who fall in love and leave the United States for Mexico. Pedro Pascal plays a detective, while Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick) plays his younger love interest. The film is written by Todd Haynes and Jon Raymond and has been described as a detective noir.
Haynes has called the movie a “button pusher” that could receive an NC-17 rating. The film is currently in post-production, and no release date has been announced yet.
Vachon’s Long History With Todd Haynes
Christine Vachon and Todd Haynes have worked together for decades. She produced his 1991 debut Poison, which helped launch the “new queer cinema” movement. Their collaborations include Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998), Far From Heaven (2002), I’m Not There (2007), and Carol (2015).
Vachon’s production company, Killer Films, has also backed major independent movies like Boys Don’t Cry, Happiness, Past Lives, May December, and Materialists.
The Queer Film Landscape Today
During the Edinburgh talk, Vachon also discussed the current state of queer cinema. She pointed out the contradiction in today’s entertainment industry. “We have ‘Heated Rivalry’ which couldn’t be a bigger hit, and we still have politicians campaigning on who gets to use what bathroom,” she said.
Vachon noted that reaching LGBTQ audiences has changed over the years. In the past, filmmakers would go to gay bars and hand out flyers to promote their movies. Now, that connection has moved online.
She also shared that the current theater-going crowd is mostly made up of people under 30. But she admitted that “we’re at a time of great disruption” and that the queer film landscape faces challenges with so much division in the United States.
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What We Know About the Film’s Future
De Noche is now in post-production. The movie was shot earlier this year around Mexico City. While no official release date has been set, the film is expected to make its debut at a major festival. Reports suggest a Cannes 2027 premiere is being considered.
The movie marks the first collaboration between Pedro Pascal and director Todd Haynes. With Pascal’s star power and Haynes’ reputation for critically acclaimed films, De Noche has become one of the most anticipated independent movies in development.
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