Actor Pedro Pascal was originally set to star in the upcoming horror-thriller Weapons, but delays caused by the Hollywood strikes forced him to exit the project, triggering a complete recast, according to director Zach Cregger.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cregger revealed that his original cast included Pascal, Brian Tyree Henry, Austin Abrams, and Renate Reinsve, best known for The Worst Person in the World. However, strike-induced production delays resulted in scheduling conflicts that upended casting plans.
I had a whole different cast for this movie. And then we had the strike, and then Pedro Pascal’s schedule threw us into turmoil. I had to recast the entire movie.
said Cregger.
This is what happens, right? The strikes delayed us, and then when you delay, people’s schedules get conflicts, and then you’re back at square one. I bear no ill will towards anybody. We just kept getting delayed and delayed. It’s like a domino effect. So I had to start over again.
The director elaborated on the domino effect the delays caused
Weapons, produced by New Line and Warner Bros., is set in a small town in Pennsylvania and revolves around the mysterious disappearance of 17 elementary school children. Pascal was originally cast as a father of one of the missing children. Following his departure, the role was recast with Josh Brolin.
Among the original lineup, only Euphoria and Wolfs actor Austin Abrams remained attached to the film. He plays James, a local townsperson battling drug addiction.
He hung tough with me. That’s my dude right there.
Cregger said of Abrams.
I’d seen Barbarian with a friend. I remember when it cut to Justin Long in the car, I just knew I loved whoever made that movie. I was able to get in contact with Zach, and then it turned out he was making something. He thought I was a good fit for it, potentially. … I loved the part and I didn’t wanna let it go. So I just really held on because I really wanted to do it.
Abrams, speaking about how he came to the project, said
Had Pascal remained on board, Weapons would have marked his fourth major release in the 2025 summer season. He starred in A24’s Materialists alongside Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans in June, followed by a supporting role in the distributor’s COVID-era western Eddington, and a high-profile appearance in Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, which debuted in July.
Weapons is slated for theatrical release on August 8.
Source: Variety