The horror genre has been buzzing with anticipation for Weapons, the latest film from director Zach Cregger, which hit theaters in the United States on August 8, 2025. Following the breakout success of his 2022 sleeper hit Barbarian, Cregger’s sophomore effort has drawn attention not only for its chilling premise and stellar cast but also for its intriguing production journey. One of the most discussed aspects is the casting shake-up that saw Pedro Pascal, initially set to play the lead role of Archer Graff, replaced by Josh Brolin due to scheduling conflicts sparked by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cregger opened up about the tumultuous recasting process, shedding light on why Pascal didn’t end up in the film and how this reshaped Weapons into the critically acclaimed horror epic it is today. This article delves into the reasons behind Pascal’s exit, the impact on the production, and why Weapons remains a must-see despite its casting challenges.

The Original Vision and Casting Overhaul

Weapons is a mystery horror film set in the fictional small town of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, where 17 elementary school children mysteriously vanish in the middle of the night after waking at 2:17 a.m. and walking out of their homes with eerie, airplane-like arm movements. The story follows a web of characters, including teacher Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), police officer Paul Morgan (Alden Ehrenreich), and Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), a grieving father desperate to find his missing son. The film’s non-linear, ensemble-driven narrative, inspired by Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, has earned praise for its blend of terror, dark humor, and emotional depth, boasting a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and projections of a $25–40 million opening weekend.

When Cregger began developing Weapons in 2022, he envisioned a different cast. Pedro Pascal, fresh off his success in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, was attached to play Archer Graff, the central father figure. Alongside him were actors like Brian Tyree Henry and Renate Reinsve, with Austin Abrams as the only actor who remained through the final cut, playing the drug-addicted townsperson Anthony. “I had a whole different cast for this movie,” Cregger told Entertainment Weekly. “And then we had the strike, and then Pedro Pascal’s schedule threw us into turmoil. I had to recast the entire movie.” The 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, which halted numerous productions, created a domino effect of delays that upended the film’s schedule, forcing Cregger to start over with casting.

The Impact of the 2023 Hollywood Strikes

The 2023 Hollywood strikes, spanning several months, disrupted countless film and television projects, and Weapons was no exception. The strikes delayed pre-production, creating scheduling conflicts for key cast members. Pascal, whose star power surged with roles in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Eddington, and Materialists in 2025, became unavailable as his commitments piled up. “The strikes delayed us, and then when you delay, people’s schedules get conflicts, and then you’re back at square one,” Cregger explained. “I bear no ill will towards anybody. We just kept getting delayed and delayed. It’s like a domino effect.”

This wasn’t a case of creative differences or personal disputes—purely a logistical nightmare. Pascal’s packed schedule, which included three major film releases in the summer of 2025 alone, made it impossible for him to stay on board. The recasting extended beyond Pascal, with actors like Brian Tyree Henry and Renate Reinsve also dropping out due to similar conflicts. Cregger described the process as starting “from scratch,” a daunting task for a film that had already sparked a $38 million bidding war among studios, ultimately won by New Line Cinema. Despite the setback, Cregger’s pragmatic approach and lack of resentment highlight the unpredictable nature of filmmaking, especially during industry-wide disruptions.

Josh Brolin Steps In as Archer Graff

Enter Josh Brolin, whose casting as Archer Graff proved to be a game-changer for Weapons. Brolin, known for roles in No Country for Old Men and Dune, brought a rugged intensity to the character, described as a father “hell-bent on finding his missing son.” Critics have praised Brolin’s performance as one of his career best, blending raw emotion with physicality that grounds the film’s supernatural elements. In a May 2024 interview with Collider, Brolin revealed he was drawn to the project by Cregger’s “brilliant” script, which he felt offered a fresh take on horror. His decision to join came after the script’s reputation sparked industry buzz, with Cregger’s vision described as a mix of visceral terror and dark comedy.

Brolin’s casting wasn’t just a replacement—it reshaped the film’s tone. Where Pascal might have brought a charismatic, everyman quality (seen in his roles as Joel in The Last of Us or Din Djarin in The Mandalorian), Brolin’s weathered gravitas added a layer of gritty determination to Archer Graff. Fans on X have debated the swap, with some expressing disappointment over losing Pascal but others arguing Brolin was the “perfect fit,” with one post stating, “Brolin’s intensity makes you feel Graff’s pain in a way that hits harder.” The recasting also allowed Cregger to assemble a new ensemble, including Julia Garner, Benedict Wong, Alden Ehrenreich, and Austin Abrams, whose chemistry has been lauded as a highlight of the film.

The Silver Lining of Recasting

While the loss of Pascal and other original cast members was a blow, the recasting process ultimately strengthened Weapons. The final ensemble, including Garner as the paranoid teacher Justine Gandy and Ehrenreich as a conflicted cop, has been praised for its “fine-tuned performances” that balance horror and humor. Austin Abrams, the sole holdover, earned Cregger’s admiration for sticking with the project. “He hung tough with me. That’s my dude right there,” Cregger said of Abrams, whose role as the conniving addict Anthony injects dark comedy into the film’s tense narrative.

The recasting also allowed Cregger to refine his vision. The film’s production faced additional challenges, including delays that pushed filming into 2024, but these hurdles gave Cregger time to polish the script and collaborate closely with his new cast. The result is a film that critics describe as “terrifying” and “thrillingly intriguing,” with a structure that shifts perspectives and reinvents itself, moving from a mystery about missing children to explorations of witchcraft, free will, and collective trauma. The film’s technical achievements—cinematography by Benjamin Kirk Nielsen, a haunting score by Ryan and Hays Holladay, and Cregger’s own musical contributions—further elevate its impact.

Pedro Pascal’s Absence and His 2025 Dominance

Pascal’s exit from Weapons didn’t slow his meteoric rise. In 2025, he starred in three major films: A24’s Materialists in June, Ari Aster’s Eddington, and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, alongside his ongoing role in HBO’s The Last of Us. These projects, many of which cast him as a father figure, overlapped with Weapons’ production, making his departure inevitable. Fans on X have expressed mixed feelings, with some lamenting the missed opportunity to see Pascal in a horror role, while others celebrate his packed slate, noting, “Pedro’s killing it this year, even without Weapons.”

Cregger himself holds no grudges, emphasizing the industry’s unpredictable nature. “This is what happens, right?” he said, acknowledging the chaos of scheduling conflicts. His ability to pivot and assemble a new cast underscores his resilience as a filmmaker, turning a potential setback into a strength.

Why Weapons Still Shines

Despite the casting turmoil, Weapons has emerged as one of 2025’s most anticipated horror films. Its early buzz, fueled by rave reviews and a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, highlights its ability to deliver chills and surprises. Critics have drawn comparisons to Zodiac for its unknowable terror and Magnolia for its ensemble structure, with X users calling it an “instant classic” alongside horror greats like Psycho. The film’s iconic imagery—children running with T-posed arms—has already sparked memes and fan theories, with Cregger admitting he chose the visual for its creepy impact.

The recasting saga, while initially a challenge, has only added to the film’s narrative of triumph. Brolin’s performance, paired with Garner’s intensity and the ensemble’s chemistry, has made Weapons a critical darling. The film’s $38 million acquisition by New Line Cinema, following a heated bidding war, reflects its pre-release hype, with early screenings prompting audiences to “yell at the screen in shock.” In a year crowded with sequels and reboots, Weapons stands out for its originality and ambition, cementing Cregger as a leading voice in modern horror.

Final Thoughts

The story of Pedro Pascal’s exit from Weapons is a testament to the unpredictable nature of filmmaking, where strikes, schedules, and logistics can reshape a project. Zach Cregger’s candid revelations about the recasting process reveal the challenges behind the scenes, but they also highlight his adaptability in crafting a horror epic that resonates with audiences. Josh Brolin’s casting as Archer Graff, alongside a powerhouse ensemble, has turned a potential setback into a strength, delivering a film that’s both terrifying and emotionally gripping. As Weapons hits theaters today, it invites viewers to dive into Maybrook’s chilling mystery, proving that sometimes, the unexpected changes make for the most unforgettable stories. Catch it now to see why it’s one of 2025’s standout films.