Searchlight Pictures has officially joined the production of Tony Gilroy’s upcoming music drama, Behemoth!, signaling strong progress for the project’s future. The movie, which has been described as costly, nearly faced difficulties getting made. Adding to the latest developments, Oscar Isaac, initially attached to star, had to exit the project due to scheduling conflicts, opening the door for Pedro Pascal to potentially step into the lead role.
Pedro Pascal Behemoth movie role discussions are reportedly underway, with no formal agreement finalized yet, but sources indicate the talks are positive. Pascal’s recent high-profile work includes roles in the second season of HBO‘s The Last of Us, Ari Aster’s neo-Western Eddington, and Celine Song’s Materialists. His rising stardom positions him as a fitting choice to take over Isaac’s role.
Background and Plot of ‘Behemoth!’
Behemoth! unfolds through flashbacks and centers on a child prodigy cellist who evolves into a veteran studio musician composing scores for Hollywood films. After a long absence from the business, the protagonist returns to Los Angeles, where old memories and unresolved trauma resurface, driving the narrative.
The film’s concept explores the world of movie music deeply, with Gilroy, a former session guitarist himself, emphasizing the story’s intimate focus on the film scoring industry and its cultural importance. Gilroy described the character as a third-generation studio musician who has worked as a nomadic “gun for hire” for two decades before returning home to L.A.
Tony Gilroy on the Challenges and Passion Behind ‘Behemoth!’
Gilroy shared candid insights about the film’s emotional resonance and financial challenges. He expressed eagerness to make the film, highlighting its thematic focus on movie music and scoring. In an interview, he stated,
“I’m dying to make this movie. It’s a movie about movie music. It’s a movie about scoring [movies]”
—Tony Gilroy, Writer/Director.
He further discussed his fascination with the subject, saying,
“I’ve been obsessed with movie music since they let me have a hand in it,”
and also acknowledged the film‘s financial hurdles:
“So I’m really into this. [However], it’s very financially difficult; we’re way more expensive than one would hope, so that’s the trick, but I’m still hopeful and I’d love to make it.”
Gilroy revealed additional details about the film’s structure, explaining that the entire movie is interlaced with music. He noted,
“The whole movie is surfing on music. And you find out through the flashbacks why he left [L.A.],”
and described the fake movie within the story, ‘Behemoth!’, as a major production that requires shooting in Los Angeles with live musicians. This element adds to the film‘s high production costs but also highlights the urgency of preserving L.A.’s music scene, which Gilroy metaphorically calls
“a coral reef about to die.”
Oscar Isaac’s Departure and Pascal’s Potential Upgrade
Oscar Isaac’s exit represents a setback given his previous collaboration with Gilroy in multiple projects. Gilroy originally considered Isaac for the lead role in The Bourne Ultimatum, but studio preferences led to Isaac taking a smaller part instead. Despite this, Pedro Pascal’s involvement is widely viewed as a strong replacement, given his rapidly ascending career and increasing acclaim.
Pascal continues to maintain a busy schedule, currently filming Avengers: Doomsday and set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars. Additionally, he has completed work on the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian & Grogu, scheduled for a 2026 release.
Production Team and Future Prospects
The film will be produced by Tony Gilroy and his Andor collaborator, Sanne Wohlenberg. Gilroy’s recent success includes receiving 14 Emmy nominations for Andor’s second season, including a nod for Outstanding Drama Series. Pascal also boasts three Emmy nominations for his performances in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.
The involvement of both Gilroy and Pascal in Behemoth! cultivates significant anticipation, as this collaboration merges a director renowned for intense storytelling with one of today’s most sought-after actors. Industry watchers and fans alike hope negotiations conclude swiftly to advance production on this compelling music-centric drama.
