David Harbour Exits Pedro Pascal-Led Drama Movie, Possible Reason Revealed

Tony Gilroy and Pedro Pascal’s upcoming drama movie has experienced a big casting change. Stranger Things star David Harbour, who was originally attached to play one of the lead roles in Behemoth!, has exited it.

As of writing, the film, which was first announced in March 2025 and began production in October 2025, has no official release date. Besides Pascal, the film will also star Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Matthew Lillard, Alexa Swinton, Margarita Levieva, and Barry Livingston.

David Harbour leaves Tony Gilroy’s Behemoth!

David Harbour has reportedly exited Tony Gilroy and Pedro Pascal‘s Behemoth!, according to Variety, which cited a representative of Searchlight Pictures, the company producing and distributing the film.

The exact reason for Harbour’s exit was not revealed. However, the outlet reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the actor stepped away from the project to rest after being “overwhelmed by the series wrap of Stranger Things.” In addition, two sources said that Harbour’s role has been recast, but his replacement is unknown.

Notably, Harbour is the second actor to depart the film. He was preceded by Oscar Isaac, who was reportedly originally attached to play the lead role until he exited the film and was replaced by Pascal.

While Harbour will not share the screen with Pascal in this film due to his exit, the two will work together in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Harbour will reprise his role of Red Guardian from Black Widow and Thunderbolts* while Pascal will essay Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic after having appeared in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Interestingly, the inverse of this situation has happened. Pascal was originally set to appear opposite Harbour in the upcoming dark comedy series DTF St. Louis, back when the show was in development in 2022, and when it was based on a The New Yorker article, “My Dentist’s Murder Trial: Adultery, False Identities, and a Lethal Sedation.” However, Pascal ended up exiting the series, which evolved into a completely different creative direction and cast Jason Bateman.

In addition to directing Behemoth! Tony Gilroy also wrote the screenplay and co-produced it with his brother John Gilroy and Sanne Wohlenberg.

Source: Comingsoon.net