"Behemoth!" Casting Changes: David Harbour Replaced by Will Arnett in Searchlight Pictures and Tony Gilroy's Upcoming Drama
Harbour allegedly left due to the massive release of "Stranger Things" Season 5.
Stranger Things and Thunderbolts* actor David Harbour has left Searchlight Pictures upcoming drama film Behemoth!
UPDATE (January 7th, 2026 12:00PM):
- Thanks to Deadline, we now know who will be replacing David Harbour in Behemoth!
- Will Arnett, known mostly for his role as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development, will join Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde in the Searchlight Pictures project.
- While the film went into production back in October, many of Harbour’s scenes hadn’t been shot yet due to many Stranger Things press events.
- Arnett will also star alongside Eva Victor, Matthew Lillard, Margarita Levieva, and Alexa Swinton.
What’s Happening:
- Variety is reporting that Searchlight Pictures upcoming film Behemoth! recently lost one of its main stars.
- David Harbour, best known for his roles as Alexei Shostakov in Thunderbolts* and Jim Hopper in Netflix’s Stranger Things recently departed the Tony Gilroy directed drama.
- A representative for Searchlight Pictures confirmed Harbour’s departure with the news source.
- Set to star alongside Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde, Harbour was allegedly overwhelmed by the batch releases of Netflix’s final season of Stranger Things.
- The actor is rumored to have stepped away to take time to rest after the massive rollout of the hit sci-fi series.
- Representatives for Harbour did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- However, as probably the biggest show in the world for nearly a decade, it has to be exhausting managing the stress and attention that comes from such a high profile release.
- With constant press interviews and premiers, in addition to some increasing criticism of the series, it makes sense that Harbour would want to step away for a bit.
- The role has already been recast, with information yet to be announced.
- Plot details remain limited, however, an official logline for Behemoth! says the film follows a musician from a family of musicians who returns to Los Angeles.
- The film is described as a love letter to the music of movies and the people who make it.
- Gilroy wrote the script and is directing the film.
- Gilroy also serves as a producer alongside Sanne Wohlenberg.
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