Pedro Pascal has become one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood and everyone is eager to cast him in their next big project. Director Zach Cregger, who is getting praised for his new horror thriller
Weapons, had also planned to work with The Mandalorian star. Pedro was first chosen to play the main role in the film.
But, plans changed due to the Hollywood strike and Pedro’s packed schedule and the team had to make big changes. Cregger shared that it wasn’t just Pedro who had to step away. The film’s original cast also included Brian Tyree Henry, Renate Reinsve and Austin Abrams.
Zach Cregger Revealed His Initial Plans
In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, the filmmaker said, “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. This is what happens, right? The strikes delayed us and then when you delay, people’s schedules get conflicted 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.”
Among all the actors, only Austin Abrams stayed with Zach Cregger. Abrams shared that he had watched Barbarian with a friend and really liked the film, especially the scene with Justin Long in the car. That moment made him interested in the person who directed the movie. Later, he got in touch with Cregger and found out that the filmmaker was working on a new project. Cregger also felt that Austin was right for a role in the film. The actor liked the role so much that he didn’t want to miss the chance and stayed connected with the director.
Why Josh Brolin Stepped In
Josh Brolin stepped in to replace Pedro Pascal as the lead character Archer, while Zach Cregger chose Alden Ehrenreich to play Paul, a local cop. One of the final roles left was Ms Justine Gandy, the school teacher whose students had gone missing. Cregger spoke to Julia Garner over a video call and within a few minutes, he felt she was perfect for the role. He was very impressed by her understanding of the script and the character.
In Weapons, all the children from one classroom go missing at the same time on the same night, except for one. This shocking event leaves everyone in the town confused and scared. No one knows how it happened and everyone tries to find answers.
