Pedro Pascal to Steal Spotlight: Replacing Joaquin Phoenix in Controversial Gay Romance Film
BOMBSHELL: Pedro Pascal Replaces Joaquin Phoenix in Scorching Gay Romance Film Amid Controversy
In a shocking turn of events, Pedro Pascal is set to take on the lead role in Todd Haynes's upcoming film "De Noche" - a 1930s-set gay romance that had previously been touted as a potential Oscar contender. The move comes after Joaquin Phoenix, 50, dropped out just days before filming was set to begin, sparking rumors of a backstage battle over explicit content.
According to sources close to the production, Pascal, 50, is "circling" the lead role in the film, which promises to push boundaries with its "explict sexual content." The project, which had been in development for months, was set to star Phoenix alongside Top Gun: Maverick actor Danny Ramirez, 32. However, insiders claim that Phoenix's exit was due to his discomfort with the intimate scenes, which some speculate may have been too much even for the Oscar-winning actor.
The drama surrounding "De Noche" began when it emerged that Phoenix had initially brought the project to Haynes, who is known for pushing boundaries in his films. In a recent interview with Variety, Haynes revealed that Phoenix had begun developing the film by working from fragments of ideas, which he then used as the foundation for the script. However, other sources suggest that Phoenix's exit was due to his concerns over the explicit content.
The controversy surrounding "De Noche" has been brewing for months, and it seems that Pascal is eager to take on the lead role. Insiders claim that the production team is working around Pascal's hectic schedule to get the film up and running in the New Year - with a possible start date in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler are producing for Killer Films, and while representatives for Pedro Pascal have yet to comment on the news, sources close to the production confirm that he is indeed circling the lead role. This development comes just months after Pascal and Phoenix made headlines at Cannes, where they promoted their film Eddington together.
The tension between the two actors was palpable as they posed for photos, with Pascal spotted grabbing Phoenix's arm in an attempt to prevent him from making a potentially offending gesture. In a memorable exchange that has gone viral on social media, Pascal can be seen playfully warning Phoenix not to make the mistake of waving to onlookers, which some interpreted as a Nazi salute.
The incident sparked a heated debate online, with some accusing Phoenix of being tone-deaf and others defending him as simply being uninformed. However, in an interview with NJ Hickling, Pascal revealed that he had told Phoenix to "act cool" and avoid making the mistake again.
As for the film itself, insiders claim that the sets had already been built in Guadalajara before Phoenix's exit, leaving some wondering what could have driven the Oscar-winning actor to leave the project. With Pascal now set to take on the lead role, fans are eagerly awaiting more news about the production - and whether it will finally get off the ground.
In a statement to The Scholarly Note, a spokesperson for the film confirmed that they were "excited" about the prospect of working with Pascal, but declined to comment further on the controversy surrounding Phoenix's exit. With Pascal now at the helm, one thing is certain: "De Noche" will be a film to watch - and one that promises to push boundaries in more ways than one.
UPDATE: Representatives for Joaquin Phoenix have yet to comment on his exit from the project, but sources close to the production claim that he was uncomfortable with the explicit content. The controversy surrounding "De Noche" is sure to continue, but with Pascal now set to take on the lead role, fans are eager to see what's next for this scorching gay romance film.
