Pedro Pascal’s Exit Almost Tanked This Horror Hit With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Summary

  • Pedro Pascal had to drop out of an upcoming horror movie due to an overloaded schedule.
  • Director Zach Cregger had to recast the entire film after Pascal’s departure.
  • Josh Brolin took over Pascal’s role in the movie, with positive reviews of the upcoming horror film.

Pedro Pascal’s striking visage has gained global recognition thanks to his exceptional performances in hit series like HBO’s “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian,” attracting Hollywood directors eager to work with him. Over recent years, his name has been linked to numerous major films and TV shows, but a horror movie on the horizon necessitated Pascal’s departure due to scheduling conflicts, causing some headaches for the director.

As a movie critic, I can’t wait to see Pascal back next year, once again donning the armor of Din Djarin in “The Mandalorian & Grogu.” With his impressive acting skills gracing both small and big screens, fans are eagerly anticipating more of this talented Chilean-American actor. Following his remarkable portrayal of survivor Joel in “The Last of Us,” audiences are still reeling from the poignant ending of season 2 – an event that will undoubtedly linger in our collective memory for quite some time.

In reality, Pascal’s professional life is buzzing more than ever, and it’s comforting to know that, despite the hustle and bustle, he remains very much alive and active. However, with such a successful career under his belt, juggling every role isn’t always a walk in the park for this star. As “Barbarian” director Zach Cregger learned firsthand, finding the right balance can be quite challenging for someone as busy as Pascal.

Weapons Director Reveals Why Pedro Pascal Had To Drop Out of Movie

As a passionate cinephile speaking to Entertainment Weekly recently, I learned an intriguing tidbit about the upcoming horror flick “Weapons.” Director Zach Cregger initially intended Pedro Pascal for the role of the father, but fate had other plans when Josh Brolin stepped into that part. The star-studded cast also includes Brian Tyree Henry, Austin Abrams, and Renate Reinsve.

Unfortunately, the 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupted Pascal’s schedule, causing a delay in “Weapons” production that forced Cregger to rethink his entire cast. He had to start from scratch, which meant recasting the entire film.

Initially, I envisioned an entirely distinct ensemble for this film. However, the unexpected strike occurred, followed by complications in Pedro Pascal’s schedule that disrupted our plans. Consequently, I found myself compelled to revise the entire cast for the movie.

Cregger explained that due to the delays caused by the strikes, schedules became conflicting and they found themselves back at the starting point. He emphasized that he held no grudges against anyone involved. Instead, it seemed like a chain reaction of further delays. Consequently, Cregger had to restart the project from scratch. Out of the original cast members who were able to continue with the film, Pascal, Brian Tyree Henry, Renate Reinsve, and Austin Abrams, it was only Austin Abrams who made it through to the end. Cregger admired his resilience, calling him a true friend.

Because Pascal had to leave the movie production, Josh Brolin stepped in to play the leading role, Archer Graff. In this story, his young son vanishes alongside all the students from a single classroom at Maybrook Elementary School. Julia Garner assumes the part of Justine Gandy, a teacher whose pupils mysteriously disappear overnight. The cast for “Weapons” includes Benedict Wong, Whitmer Thomas, June Diane Raphael, and Toby Huss as well. So far, the director’s latest horror film, “Barbarian”, is garnering high praise from critics with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some have even labeled it as one of the most imaginative, unexpected, and at times gruesome movies they’ve seen in recent memory.

Weapons arrives in cinemas on August 8.

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2025-08-06 15:04