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]