'Weapons' Zach Cregger Says Austin Abrams Was the 1 Original Cast Member to Make Film
Zach Cregger found himself facing somewhat of a disaster after originally casting his latest hit movie, Weapons. However, if things hadn't played out the way they did, moviegoers would be watching an entirely different cast, and it's safe to say that the new-look group knocked it out of the park.
As Cregger revealed during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he had an entirely different cast for Weapons, but the writers' strike, followed by Pedro Pascal having to back out, led to a full recast.
'Weapons' Director Zach Cregger Reveals 1 Actor From Original Cast 'Hung Tough' With Him
Weapons, which features Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, joined after things went somewhat haywire for Cregger and the original cast. Brolin, who plays Archer, the father of a missing child in the movie, stepped into the part originally cast for Pascal.
"I had a whole different cast for this movie," Cregger tells 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."
Along with Pascal, the original cast of Weapons included Brian Tyree Henry, Renate Reinsve and Austin Abrams. While Cregger added that he bears "no ill will towards anybody" for having to back out and the movie essentially resetting back to casting, he had high praise for Abrams, the lone name that "hung tough" with him.
"He hung tough with me. That's my dude right there," Cregger comments.
Abrams plays the part of James, a homeless man who's battling a drug addiction.
Austin Abrams Discusses Decision Not to Back Out of 'Weapons' After Writers' Strike
While actors' schedules got overloaded and Cregger was left with many recastings on his hands, Abrams chose to ride it out for the Weapons role. During the same interview with Entertainment Weekly, he explained the decision, stating that he "loved the part" and "didn't wanna let it go."
"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," Abrams says.
"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 'cause I really wanted to do it."
It's safe to say the decision was a wise one for Abrams, at least at the surface level. Weapons has been a juggernaut in terms of its early reviews from fans and critics alike. It also raked in $42.5 million domestically at the box office and $27.5 million overseas, blowing past the initial expectations for an opening weekend total of $70 million globally.
Considering the movie was made for $38 million, Weapons is well-positioned for a big run, especially as the hype behind the movie continues to grow following its release.
Related: 'Weapons' Director Zach Cregger Addresses Chances of Sequel After Film's Rave Reviews